Chippa United continued their fine recent run of form by thrashing Richards Bay 3-0 in a Betway Premiership match at the Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday night.
Goals from Sirgio Kammies, Somila Ntsundwana and Sinoxolo Kwayiba took the Chilli Boys to a third straight league win (and five matches unbeaten in the top flight), as they moved up to 12th place on the log – four points clear of the relegation playoff zone.
As for the Natal Rich Boys, they are one point and two places ahead of Chippa in 10th. This result snapped a five-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
The teams cancelled each other out for the first half hour of the match, with no clear chances created at either end – though Chippa saw more of the ball and were able to create greater attacking pressure.
The Chilli Boys almost claimed the lead in the 33rd minute with an intricate and flowing pass move that put Goodman Mosele in behind the defence on the right of the penalty area, but the midfielder’s effort was well saved by Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno.
Chippa kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a goal three minutes into injury time at the end of the first half. Justice Figuareido whipped in a cross from the left, which was spilt straight into the path of Sirgio Kammies, who easily steered home a shot from close range for a 1-0 lead at the interval.
Bay immediately upped their game at the start of the second half, and were close to an equaliser in the 50th minute when Lindokuhle Zikhali struck a shot just wide of the target.
However, Chippa doubled their lead midway through the second half, with substitute Somila Ntsundwana scoring at close range after meeting Figuareido’s excellent cross from the right flank.
And the game was put to bed in the 79th minute when Sinoxolo Kwayiba latched onto a poor back pass and provided a classy, composed finish past the on-rushing Otieno to complete the scoring at 3-0.
The teams will next be in Premiership action on Saturday, 28 February, with Chippa away to Golden Arrows and Bay visiting Orbit College.
Chippa United (1) 3 (Kammies 45+3’, Ntsundwana 67’, Kwayiba 79’)
Richards Bay 0
CHIPPA: Msibi, Majadibodu, Madingwane, Mobara (Ndlovu 90+2’), Modise, Kammies (Ntsundwana 61’), Konqobe, Mosele, Figuareido (Magwaza 90+2’), Matrose, Kwayiba (Eva Nga 90+2’)
BAY: Otieno, Sikhakhane, Mcineka, Zuke, Mntungwa, Mthembu, Zulu (Tuli 89’), Barns (Nzama 89’), Ngema (Gumede 66’), Mahala (Mutizwa 89’), Zikhali (Khumalo 66’)