Chippa United and Milford FC shared the spoils in their Betway Premiership clash on Saturday afternoon, playing to a 0-0 draw at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London.
The scoreline may have remained blank throughout the 90 minutes, but this was an entertaining match in which both the Chilli Boys and the Stallions pushed for victory.
The teams were ultimately let down by a combination of poor finishing, some good goalkeeping and a touch of bad luck.
Chippa found their attacking rhythm early on and threatened through numerous half-chances in the opening quarter hour – most notably a shot from Azola Tshobeni which forced a sharp save from Milford goalkeeper Lungile Nkosi.
Yet Milford soon began to stretch the home side’s defence and were not afraid to let fly from long range, with Sicelo Masilela hitting a crisp effort in the 21st minute that flashed just off target – with Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali left rooted to the spot.
The teams traded attacking moves through the remainder of the first half, though the interval arrived with the score still 0-0.
Chippa upped their game in the second half and were the dominant force, attacking regularly from either flank to create numerous chances – including ones in which Justice Figaureido screwed a shot wide when a simple pass would have given Muzomuhle Khanyi a tap-in, as well as the latter player hitting the post.
The teams remained hungry to clinch the win all the way to the final whistle, with the Stallions almost stealing all three points in injury time when a long throw-in from the left flank saw Sifiso Mdluli head onto the crossbar (via the fingertips of Nwabali), with Chippa then doing well to scramble a clearance from the rebound.
The teams will return to Premiership action next weekend, with Chippa at home to Mamelodi Sundowns, and Milford at home to Richards Bay.
Chippa United 0
Milford FC 0
CHIPPA: Nwabali, Madingwane, Majadibodu, Mobara, Jones, Seabi (Bance 62’), Mosele, Tshobeni (Mfecane 90+1’), Matrose, Figuareido (Mbhele 74’), Khanyi (Mlotshwa 74’)
MILFORD: Nkosi, Bhengu (Mbunga 19’), Mthabela, Cele, Mdluli, Mthethwa, Mabena (Nomandela 66’), Chili (Radebe 82’), Sigomoshe (Ndlabi 82’), Zikakayo (Gxakoshe 66’), Masilela