Kaizer Chiefs’ poor run in the DStv Premiership this campaign continued after they suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Chippa United at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday.
With Khama Billiat out of the game due to Injury, Chiefs named Dumisani Zuma earned a start while Nkosingiphile Ngcobo returned while Reeve Frolser was named on the bench.
Amakhosi thought they had got the game’s opening goal in the fourth minute as Philani Zulu’s effort after some excellent combination with Lebogang Manyama inside the box was disallowed for offside.
Gavin Hunt’s men kept coming forward but were thwarted continuously by goalkeeper Ismail Watenga.
The Chilli Boys had a sniff at goal after the half-hour mark, and if not for the intervention of Eric Mathoho to deny Chidi Kwem a clear sight goal, Amakhosi could have found themselves down by a goal at halftime.
Kwem soon came close to opening the scoring just two minutes after the break for the visitors with a header that missed wide before Bernard Parker went close with a header of his own at other end some minutes later.
Gavin Hunt introduced last weekend’s hero Samir Nurkovic in place of Leonardo Castro while Lazarous Kambole replaced Manyama and Reeve Frosler came on for Zuma.
The substitutions spurred Chiefs to life and they soon went close again but Ngcobo’s effort from the edge of the box was saved by Watenga yet again.
However, Bienvenu Eva Nga scored the winner six minutes from time for the visitors after intercepting a poor headed pass by Eric Mathoho before making a deft chip over goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
Hunt’s men fought late on but their fight was not enough to get them a point, as Chippa held on to claim important three points but they still remained in 15th place despite the win.
Chiefs remain in ninth place but are now in danger of dropping down even further, if they don’t record a win in their next outing. Another poor result means Amakhosi have only one win from their last six games in all competitions. Surprisingly, that win came against leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Gavin Hunt and company will now be aiming for a return to winning ways when they travel to take on Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday.