Chippa United live up to all the hype
Rodney Reiners
The football grapevine has been buzzing, loudly and persistently, about the emergence of a really special Chippa United side. Well, believe the hype !
Yesterday afternoon, the Port Elizabeth club demonstrated what all the fuss was about with a fantastic performance in a 0-0 draw with current PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the semi-finals of the MTN8 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Chippa now have one of the most exciting squads in the PSL. Yesterday, despite the lofty status that Sundowns hold in local football, Chippa had no respect for name or reputation.
They played the passing football that has become their trademark and they tackled like tigers when they lost the ball. It was a tight affair - but, on the balance of play, Chippa were the better team, and they would have given Sundowns an almighty scare with the second leg to be played on September 21.
The game itself was a great advert for the PSL. Played at a high tempo, there was some great football, goalmouth action and lots of tactical detail to keep football followers interested. The game, though, lacked goals, and that was a testament to the superb defence on both sides. It was evident that, because of Chippa’s much-admired passing philosophy, Sundowns’ approach was to be extremely cautious. The PSL champions were intent on keeping their shape and structure, and on narrowing the spaces in midfield, to ensure that Chippa weren’t able to pass their way through.
With both teams keeping things compact in the middle of the park, the first shot in anger on goal only came in 22nd minute when Khama Billiat’s soft attempt was easily saved by Chippa’s Nigerian goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi.
Billiat’s attempt, though, provided the spark to ignite the encounter from an offensive perspective, with Chippa going close five minutes later when Strydom Wambi weaved his way through, only to be foiled by Sundowns’ Ugandan goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
Chippa should then, a minute into the second half, have taken the lead when Thembinkosi Lorch had an inviting opportunity, but hoofed his shot well wide of goal.
Even though Chippa will have to travel to Tshwane for the second leg, they will feel that they have what it takes to defeat Sundowns in their own backyard.
Sundowns, on the other hand, must surely be dreading coming up against this impressive Chippa bunch again.
The Mercury