Honours even between Chippa and Stellenbosch

Chippa United went four DStv Premiership games without a win after they played out to a 0-0 draw with Stellenbosch at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday night.

Steve Barker's side were the better team in the first half and kept Stanley Nwabali busy in the home goal, but the Chilli Boys had a few good chances themselves in the second 45 minutes, only to find Sage Stephens unbeatable.

Chippa dropped down to eighth in the standings after Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 earlier in the day to climb up to seventh place, with the Maroons still trailing them by one points in 10th position.

Morgan Mammila's side were looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Cape Town City Tuesday which halted a four-game unbeaten run, while Stellies targeted a third consecutive win for the first time in the league this season.

The hosts almost got off to a flying start when Goodman Mosele found Sinoxolo Kwayiba inside the 18-yard area the midfielder forced Stephens into a fine save in the fourth minute.

But Stellenbosch quickly got a foothold in the match and created several good opportunities, with Iqraam Rayners lining up a shot from long range that was comfortably saved by Nwabali on nine minutes before Jayden Adams steered a header inches past the left post from Devin Titus' cross in the 12th minute.

Rayners tested Nwabali again two minutes later after being played in on the right by Titus, although the Eastern Cape outfit managed to weather the early storm and the score remained goalless at the break.

Nwabali was quickly called into action in the second half to deny Rayners on 49 minutes after Jayden Adams had picked out the striker inside the box and he gave the goalkeeper some more work to do on the hour mark after latching onto Adams' through-ball.

Just moments earlier Justice Chabalala had sent a header straight at Stephens from Malebogo Modise's cross, while back up the other end Adams was unable to beat Nwabali from inside the box on the left in the 69th minute and Augustine Mulenga then flashed a shot from range just wide of the right post for Chippa moments later.

Ronaldo Maarman nearly snatched all three points at the death when he found space for a shot inside the box that was dealt with by Stephens to ensure a share of the spoils for the Maroons.

Chippa United (0) 0

Stellenbosch (0) 0

Chippa United: S. Nwabali, Z. Mdunyelwa, T. Makhele, J. Chabalala (R. Pietersen 84'), M. Modise, S. Kwayiba (B. Poggenpoel 79'), G. Mosele, C. Martin (K. Francis 70'), M. Ndwandwe (L. Memela 46'), A. Mulenga, R. Maarman.

Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, D. van Rooyen, T. Moloisane, I. Toure, F. Basadien, D. Titus, J. Adams, D. Matsheke, G. Palace, K. Sekgota (N. Mgaga 63'), I. Rayners.