Chippa United will head into their highly anticipated Betway Premiership fixture against Kaizer Chiefs this weekend with a significant defensive hurdle to overcome.
The Chilli Boys will be without the services of their dependable defender, Azola Ntsabo, who is suspended due to the accumulation of his fourth yellow card of the league campaign.
This encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium carries considerable weight for both sides, with a coveted top-eight finish in the league standings within their sights. Chippa United currently occupy ninth position, closely trailing Kaizer Chiefs, who sit just one point ahead in eighth place.
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Crucially, the Eastern Cape-based outfit has two games in hand over Amakhosi, making this match a pivotal opportunity to leapfrog their Soweto rivals.
The absence of the 26-year-old Ntsabo will undoubtedly be felt by the Chippa United defense. He has been a consistent performer in their recent outings, delivering solid displays in the past three matches. His contributions were instrumental in the team securing two clean sheets during this period, and he even added a goal to his name in their recent 2-0 victory against Polokwane City.
Ntsabo’s suspension stems from a yellow card he received early in their previous league fixture – a goalless draw against Golden Arrows on April 5th at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale. The caution, issued just 22 minutes into the match, has now triggered the automatic one-match ban.
Adding to the suspension woes across the league, Sekhukhune United will also be contending with the absence of two key players for their upcoming clash against Polokwane City, nicknamed. Both Katlego Mohamme and Khulekani Shezi will be serving suspensions after also reaching the threshold of four yellow cards and will not be available for Babina Noko’s clash with Rise and Shine.
For Chippa United, the challenge will be to reorganize their defense in Ntsabo’s absence as they prepare to face the attacking threats posed by Kaizer Chiefs, who are fresh off a 2-1 come from behind victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
Coach Kwanele Kopo will need to find a suitable replacement to maintain the team’s defensive solidity in this crucial battle for a top-eight spot as he welcomes a high flying Amakhosi outfit. The eagerly awaited clash between Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 17:30 on Saturday, 19 April 2025.