In what was a game of missed chances in Durban, Golden Arrows and Chippa United recorded a tense 0-0 draw in their latest Betway Premiership assignment at the King Zwelithini on Saturday evening.
As a game of two halves, Chippa dominated for much of the match, while Arrows came to life during spurts in the second half.
However, neither side could find the back of the net due to astute defending and assured goalkeeping in either box.
The Chilli Boys looked lively during the opening exchanges, as seen with early scoring chances by Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Justice Figuareido in the first 10 minutes.
Chippa continued to see more of the ball during the first quarter while Arrows sat back and soaked up the pressure.
While Arrows had little to show for their efforts at the midway point of the first half, Chippa United held up to 70 per cent of the ball possession count as they piled on the pressure.
Malebogo Modise and Ayabulela Konqobe joined in on the chances created sheet, with shots from outside the 18-yard-area.
Abafana Bes’thende fought back shortly before the break but to no avail.
Sboniso Madonsela and Angelo Van Rooi provided some of Arrows’ best plays in the first half.
The two linked up on the cusp of half-time as Madonsela threaded Van Rooi through on goal following a swift attacking move, however, the midfielder’s effort sailed over the bar.
It was much of the same for Chippa after the restart as they immediately dominated possession tally during the first 10 minutes of the new half.
However, Arrows manufactured the first chance of the second 45 after Siyanda Ndlovu’s shot inside the area was saved by goalkeeper Dumsani Msibi.
Abafana Bes’thende looked lively en-route to the hour mark and put Chippa under their first spell of adversity in the match.
With the Chilli Boys retreating, Arrows swung into the game during the second half through Sede Dion and Nhlanhla Gasa who kept the Chippa backline busy.
As the game slowed down at the King Zwelithini Stadium, so did Chippa’s activity with 80 minutes on the clock. Arrows continued to conjure up chances, most of which were dealt with by the Chilli Boys’ backline.
With neither side able to convert their chances at the end of the match, the game eventually fizzled out to a tightly contested draw in Umlazi.
Golden Arrows: 0
Chippa United: 0
Golden Arrows: Mbanjwa, Mafuleka, Mabaso, Jiyane, Lukhele (Nguse 64’), Maxwele (Ndlovu 46’), Madonsela (Cele 80’), Dlamini (Msomi 28’), Gasa, Dion (Kumalo 64’), van Rooi
Chippa United: Msibi, Madingwana, Majadibodu, Mobara, Modise, Konqobe (Ntsundwana 46’), Mosele, Matrose (Ndlovu 87’), Mfecane (Seabi 46’), Figuareido (Sithole 76’), Kwabiya