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Mdu Shabalala showcased an outstanding performance with a remarkable individual goal, guiding Kaizer Chiefs to a win against Chippa United in a Betway Premiership match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.
Receiving the ball on the wing, Shabalala executed a quick cut inside and deftly navigated past several Chippa defenders before unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner of the net. This crucial victory lifted Chiefs to seventh place in the standings, earning 15 points from 10 matches, just one point ahead of both Chippa United and Golden Arrows. Moreover, this match marked their first clean sheet in the league this season.
Chiefs approached the match with a disappointing history against Chippa in Durban but successfully ended this losing streak at home.
The 2024 season has been tough for Chiefs, as they have managed only seven victories across all competitions. This underwhelming record highlights an urgent need for significant improvement.
Before this match, Chiefs had a troubling statistic of 13 goals scored and 13 conceded in nine league games. They were also under pressure from a three-match league losing streak, making this win essential for closing the year on a positive note.
Yusuf Maart came close to scoring with a header, while Wandile Duba’s shot narrowly missed the target. Chippa coach Kwanele Kopo, dissatisfied with his team’s display, made an early substitution, bringing on Baraka Majogoro for Ayabulela Konqobo in the 35th minute.
Duba continued to pose a threat, prompting another save from Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. However, it was Shabalala who took the spotlight. Through an impressive display of skill, he evaded four defenders before delivering a powerful shot past Nwabali, giving Chiefs a well-deserved lead just before halftime.
In the second half, Ashley Du Preez nearly surprised Nwabali with a quick shot. Chiefs kept pressing, but there was a moment of concern when Bruce Bvuma nearly failed to collect Sinoxolo Kwayiba’s header, which fortunately hit the crossbar.
As the match continued, Chippa made a late attempt to rally, but Bvuma denied Kwayiba from close range. Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi urged his players to maintain focus and withstand Chippa’s late pressure.
This victory provided a crucial boost for Chiefs, allowing them to finish a challenging 2024 season on a high note. Their previous campaign was marked by disappointing results, resulting in a position outside the top eight.
