Kaizer Chiefs defeated Chippa United 1-0 in their Absa Premiership encounter on Saturday evening at the Mbombela Stadium courtesy of George Lebese’s late strike.

The game got off to a flying start with both sides intent on attacking one another in the opening exchanges.

Chiefs should’ve taken the lead in the 15th minute when some great interplay between Edmore Chirambadare and Siphiwe Tshabalala resulted in the latter’s cross to Ramahlwe Mphahlele, but the defender failed to direct his header on target.

Chirambadare looked lively for the visitors on the left-wing with his trickery, but he was let down by a lack of support from his forwards as Chiefs as gradually got into their rhythm.

Chippa were dealt an early injury blow when midfielder Buyani Sali was substituted by Tshwarelo Bereng in the 32nd minute.

The Soweto giants continued to carve out the Chippa defence with their intricate passing, but were let down by some poor-decision making in the final third.

The home side almost broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, but a timely intervention from Mphahlele ensured the scores remained level.

Paez almost opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, but his acrobatic volley went inches wide of the post from Chirambadare’s fine delivery.

Steve Komphela opted for the introduction of George Lebese for Chirambadare at the start of the second-half as Chiefs went in search of the opener.

Tshabalala should’ve given the visitors the lead in the 55th minute when Chiefs’ patient build-up saw Mphahlele find the dreadlocked midfielder in some space in the area, but he somehow missed the effort from six-yards out.

Chippa should’ve taken the lead in the 63rd minute when a great run by Bereng resulted in a great chance for Andile Mbenyane, but the forward ballooned his effort over the crossbar.

Chiefs became desperate and threw numbers forward in search of the opener in the final ten minutes of the encounter and were rewarded for their efforts in the 85th minute when Lebese showed great composure to finish William Twala’s through-ball.

The Naturena based-outfit played the remaining minutes of the encounter with relative ease to secure a 1-0 victory against Chippa United to go level on points at the summit of the Absa Premiership table with Cape Town City.

Photo:  Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix