Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila have guaranteed a second season in the DStv Premiership after holding Chippa United 0-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The result sees the four-point gap between Vhadau Vha Damani and the Chilli Boys (who occupy the relegation playoff spot) remain intact, therefore ensuring safety for the Limpopo side with a game to spare in their maiden Premier Soccer League campaign – a fine achievement given they won just once in their opening 14 league matches. The Eastern Cape club, on the other hand, will take their fight for survival to the last day of the 2020-21 season.

The tension for this high-stakes match manifested early on with some tough challenges going in, including one from Kurt Lentjies which earned him a caution just five minutes into the match.

Tshakhuma looked to bring their talented attackers such as Thabo Rakhale and Thabo Mnyamane into the game, but Chippa’s aggressive intent made it tough for the hosts to find a rhythm.

The Chilli Boys themselves weren’t able to feed forward Andile Mbenyane with any penetrative service in the opening quarter, as the likes of Sizwe Mdlinzo and Mokhele Maloisane struggled to establish themselves.

TTM’s Lerato Lamola strung the palms of Chippa goalkeeper Ismail Watenga just past the half hour mark – though it was a straightforward save for the Ugandan – while the visitors’ Peter Maloisane sent an effort narrowly off target at the other end a short while later.

A key moment in the game arrived four minutes before the end of regulation time in the first half, with Chippa defender Nyiko Mobbie shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge. This left Tshakhuma with an advantage – in numerical terms, if not on the score board – heading into the break.

Chippa made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, with Gregory Damons, Augustine Kwem and Thabiso Lebitso coming off the bench as they changed shape and looked for a way to minimise the impact of being a man down.

Tshakhuma, though, controlled the game and held their opponents at arm’s length, even creating chances later in the game as Chippa occasionally committed men forward and left themselves exposed at the back.

The hosts were unable to capitalise on the chances they created, but a goalless stalemate was enough to secure survival and add to the achievement of winning the Nedbank Cup – a first major trophy in the club’s history – last month.

The teams will wrap up their 2020-21 DStv Premiership campaigns on Saturday 5 June, with Tshakhuma away to Orlando Pirates and Chippa United at home to SuperSport United.

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 0

Chippa United 0

Tshakhuma: Arubi, Theron, Ndengane, Nonyane, Madhanga, Timm, Ndlondlo, Rakhale (Mpambaniso 68’), Ngema, Mnyamane, Lamola (Nevhulamba 75’)

Chippa: Watenga, Mobbie, Nhlapo, Mthethwa, Hanamub (Phewa 58’), M. Maloisane, Konqobe, Mdlinzo (Msane 78’), P. Maloisane (Lebitso 46’), Lentjies (Damons 46’), Mbenyane (Kwem 46’)