Chippa United reignited the Betway Premiership relegation battle with a vital 2–0 victory over Durban City at the Buffalo Stadium in East London on Saturday, delivering a timely boost to their survival hopes.
A brace from Sinoxolo Kwayiba proved decisive for the Chilli Boys, with the midfielder producing a standout display soon after returning to Chippa United following an unfruitful spell at Orlando Pirates. The result secured Chippa’s only third win of the season, offering much-needed breathing space at the foot of the table.
Elsewhere, AmaZulu’s Mlondi Mbanjwa scored the decisive goal in their league match against Marumo Gallants.
It was made even sweeter by the fact that the victory came against former head coach Sinethemba Badela, who had guided the side during the early stages of the campaign before parting ways with the club.
For the visitors, the defeat represented a missed opportunity to apply pressure on the teams above them as they look to consolidate a top-eight finish. Costly errors ultimately proved their undoing, with City suffering their sixth loss of the season after failing to capitalise on brief spells of control.
Buoyed by strong support from the home crowd, Vusimuzi Vilakazi’s side started with intent and energy, pressing high and forcing mistakes from the outset. Chippa looked the more purposeful team in the opening exchanges, showing a clear desire to seize the initiative.
The hosts struck first in the 32nd minute when a back pass from defender Mfanafuthi Mkhize had goalkeeper Darren Keet scrambling with the ball trapped under his feet, allowing the alert Kwayiba to pounce and slot home his first goal since returning to Chippa.
The Chilli Boys nearly doubled their advantage before the interval, with Keet redeeming himself by reacting sharply to deny the home side after another incisive run threatened to open up the City defence.
City showed greater urgency after the break and enjoyed improved spells of possession, but their resurgence was short-lived. Another defensive lapse, this time from Terrence Mashego, gifted Kwayiba a second clear opportunity on the hour mark, and the attacker made no mistake to complete his brace.
The goal sealed the result and injected fresh belief into Chippa’s fight for survival, while City were left to rue a night where individual errors overshadowed their intent to build on their promising start to the season.
