Cape Town City's CAF Champions League hopes were dented after they were held to a goalless draw by Chippa United in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Chippa United 0-0 Cape Town City
Date: 04 May 2022
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
The Citizens were boosted by the return of Fasika Idumba and Thamsanqa Mkhize, who both missed the win over Kaizer Chiefs while Chippa recalled Azola Matrose and Thokozani Sekotlong.
The game got off to a lively start as Tashreeq Morris had a chance to give City the lead in the tenth minute after latching onto a through ball by Mpho Makola but he was thwarted by goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.
Chippa also had a big chance to go ahead from a transition three minutes later after Bienvenu Eva Nga went clear on goal but shot-stopper Hugo Marques made a great save with his foot.
However, the sides could not maintain their tempo in the latter phase of the first stanza, as the visitors only threatened just before the half-time break after Khanyisa Mayo went through on goal but Kazapua came out quickly to avert the danger.
Scroll through the gallery to see the PSL stars turning out in the ABC Motsepe League.
Eric Tinkler's charges made a strong start in the second stanza and Craig Martin came close to breaking the deadlock just before the hour-mark with powerful strike that sailed inches over the crossbar.
Tinkler rang the changes after that as he refreshed the team with the introduction of Mduduzi Mdantsane and Thabo Nodada while Taahir Goedeman and Makola made way.
The changes by City had the desired effect as they were awarded a penalty in the last quarter of an hour after Martin was brought down in the box but Mdantsane missed the target from the spot-kick.
The Chilli Boys frustrated the Citizens in the dying minutes and defended in numbers as the visitors could not find their way through, leaving the sides to settle for a share of the spoils.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa: 1. Kazapua, 4. Hanamub, 24. Zulu, 29. Mthethwa, 19. Pfumbidzai, 6. Seabi, 12. Matrose, 14. Mkhize, 17. Sekotlong, 18. Makobela, 9. Eva Nga
Subs: 31. Watenga, 28. Lebitso, 26, Luthuli, 21. Dinge, 26. Sangare, 23. September, 2. Mdunyelwa, 5. Pietersen, 8. Maloisane
City: 1. Marques, 2. Mkhize, 4. Fasika, 12. Fielies, 14. Mashego, 29. Ambina, 27. Goedeman, 8. Makola, 30. Martin, 17. Mayo, 20. Morris.
Subs: 16. Keet, 15. Cupido, 22. Fisher, 49. Rhodes, 21. Mokeke, 26. Nodada, 9. Gonzalez, 10. Mdantsane, 6. Mokhuoane.
