Chippa United defeated newly-crowned Carling Knockout champions Magesi FC 2-0 in a Betway Premiership clash at the Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Chilli Boys snapped a two-game winless run thanks to a first-half brace from Sinoxolo Kwayiba, with the three points lifting them to third place on the log.
As for Dikwena tsa Meetse, who stunned Mamelodi Sundowns in the league cup final last weekend, this defeat ends an eight-game unbeaten run across all competitions and leaves them in 14th place on the log – just one point above the relegation playoff berth.
Chippa got out of the blocks with intensity and intent, creating early chances and claiming the lead just seven minutes into the game, as Sinoxolo Kwayiba fired home from Craig Martin’s assist following a corner kick.
Kwayiba was close to scoring a second goal when he was set up by Bienvenu Eva Nga on 22 minutes, but his effort was well saved by Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
Magesi soon found an attacking rhythm and began to test their hosts’ defence, with Edmore Chirambadare and Wonderboy Makhubu both seeing shots saved by Chippa’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali after the half-hour mark.
Chances continued to flow at either end, but it was the Chilli Boys who struck again when Kwayiba netted a second on 41 minutes, capitalising on some slack defending from the visitors before striking a shot into the top corner of the net for 2-0.
Dikwena tsa Meetse had a great chance to get back in the game early in the second half when Chippa’s Martin gave away a penalty for hand ball. However, Chirambadare saw his effort from the spot saved by Nwabali.
Magesi didn’t give up in their attempts to come back into the match, as they created late chances for Lehlegonolo Mokone and Makhubu, but their finishing let them down, while Chippa also spurned a chance on the break at the death when substitute Xolani Sithole failed to find the net from close range.
Ultimately, the match closed out at 2-0 in favour of the Eastern Cape hosts, who registered a fourth league win of the 2024-25 campaign.
Magesi will return to Premiership action on Saturday 7 December when they visit Marumo Gallants, while Chippa’s next league match is away to Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday 10 December.
Chippa United (2) 2 (Kwayiba 7’ 41’)
Magesi FC 0
Chippa: Nwabali, Modise, Makhele, Ndlovu, Mqokozo (Sithole 74’), Jali (Madingwane 66’), Baloni, Martin, Majogoro, Kwayiba (Chabalala 82’), Eva Nga (Kambindu 66’)
Magesi: Chipezeze, Abrahams, Makgoga, L. Mokone, J. Mokone (Rademeyer 68’), Darpoh, Mekoa, Mashigo, Masegela (Baloyi 68’), Chirambadare (Mokhele 80’), Makhubu