Wits settle for draw as Chippa stand firm

Bidvest Wits failed to unlock Chippa United's defence as they were forced to settle for a frustrating goalless draw in Johannesburg on Saturday.

After a disappointing day of the office for Gavin Hunt's side at the Bidvest Stadium, a late red card to Chippa's Gaona Modisane gave Wits fans hope of seeing their team grab a late winner, but it wasn't to be as it finished 0-0.

The first shot of the game came from Chippa midfielder Ruzaigh Gamildien, who tried his luck from range but pulled a good save out of Brandon Petersen in the Wits goal.

Wits had a good chance to open the scoring in the 17th minute when the Chippa defence was caught unawares, but a mixup between Mxolisi Macuphu and Phathutshedzo Nange let the visitors off the hook.

The Clever Boys were starting to dominate the game but nearly fell behind when a clearance from Petersen succeeded only in finding Gamildien. Luckily for the keeper, he was able to make up for the mistake by saving the ensuing shot.

Wits continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges, but they were lacking in the final third as it finished goalless at the break.

The first decent chance of the second half fell to Chippa just six minutes in, but William Twala's strike couldn't get the better of Petersen.

Both teams continued to struggle to create clear-cut chances, and in the 60th minute, Wits coach Gavin Hunt made his first substitution in a bid to change his side's fortunes, bringing on new striker Bienvenu Eva Nga in place of Macuphu, followed by winger Kgaogelo Sekgota joining Nga on the pitch 10 minutes later. Hunt also turned to Haashim Domingo on the bench to try and make something happen, but to no avail.

In the closing minutes of the match, Chippa defender Modisane was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence, but Wits couldn't find a breakthrough in the time remaining as it finished all square.

- TEAMtalk Media