Chippa United and Golden Arrows played to a 0-0 stalemate in their final DStv Premiership match of the 2022/23 campaign, as the Chilli Boys made sure to secure their status in South Africa’s top flight.
In what was a slow start to the game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Chippa United settled early on the ball but struggled to make way inside the Golden Arrows half.
However, Abafana Bes’thende did not hold back and ventured forward with intent at every opportunity inside the first 10 minutes of the tie.
Arrows managed to get into the game as the 20th minute rolled on and began stringing precise passes together. In response, the Chilli Boys often did well to disrupt Arrows’ passing patterns and countered with intent. However, Chippa were let down by the final product as they searched for an opener.
With 45 minutes of football played, neither side created any notable goal scoring chances and headed into the break with the scores deadlocked at 0-0.
Similarly to that of the first half, the subsequent 45 commenced at a subdued pace. With 55 minutes on the clock, Arrows edged Chippa in the ball possession count and actively searched for an opener.
As the game reached the 75th minute mark, Arrows bossed proceedings while Chippa had no answer to the travelling outfit’s attacking thrusts. Abafana Bes’Thende found space in wide areas of the pitch and frequently played crosses into the danger zone.
The Chilli Boys were happy to see out the game without making their way up the pitch and took the pragmatic approach in an attempt to secure the point. That said, the referee called time on proceedings at the Nelson Bay Stadium as the Gqeberha outfit survived the drop.
The scenes at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as Chippa United secured a draw that keeps in them in the #DStvPrem for the 2023/2024 season ?? pic.twitter.com/BkC1hyMonH
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) May 20, 2023
Chippa United 0
Golden Arrows 0
Chippa United: Kazapua, Ntsabo (Pietersen 87’), Chabalala, Makhele, Mdunyelwa, Mkhize, Mqokozo (Pfumbidzai 58’), Lebitso, Mbenyane (September 73’), Matete (Poggenpoel 45’), Kambindu
Golden Arrows: Mbatha, Lunga, Hlatshwayo (Mhlongo 93’), Shitolo, Ndlovu, Mmodi, Dlamini (Gambi 73’),Makhubela, Sibiya, Moon (Mzolo 87’), Nkosi (Mutizwa 73’)