Chippa United and Cape Town City played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in their DStv Premiership clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday evening.

Both teams created plenty of attacking opportunities, but found it hard to beat goalkeepers Lloyd Kazapua and Darren Keet. The result sees the Chilli Boys (who have gone six league games without a win) and the Citizens (who played to a first draw since early October) placed 10th and eighth on the log respectively

The early exchanges had a pleasing cut and thrust about them, with both teams looking to use pace and width to attack. Khanyisile Mayo was particularly lively down Chippa’s left flank, but it was City who made the breakthrough on 28 minutes.

Bertrand Mani did great work down the right flank to win possession and tee up Brice Ambina, whose cross-shot deflected into the back of the net via the legs of Justice Chabalala, as he attempted to make a clearance on his own goal line.

Chippa responded to going behind with a double change five minutes before the break, as Andile Mbenyane and Diego Appollis made way for Etiosa Ighodaro and Siphelele Luthuli.

Ighodaro vindicated his introduction with a superb headed goal in the first minute of injury time before the break, getting on the end of Azola Ntsabo’s cross from the left to ensure the game was locked at 1-1 for halftime.

The second half saw the teams trade half-chances, with City generally dominating possession, while Chippa offered a potent threat on the counter.

The Cape side should have claimed the lead just before the midway point of the second half when they put substitute Darwin Gonzalez in behind the host’s defence, but Chippa goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua came quickly off his line to make a brave save.

Gonzalez was denied again by a jaw-dropping save in the 81st minute – Kazapua somehow turned away the attacker’s stabbed shot at close range – and the goalkeeper was backed up brilliantly by Chabalala, who ensured the loose ball didn’t finds its way over the goal line.

Kazapua wasn’t the only one making outstanding saves, as the 85th minute saw City’s Darren Keet perfectly placed to keep out Sergio Kammies when it seemed certain the Chippa attacker would turn home Luthuli’s low cross.

The teams will be back in DStv Premiership action next weekend, with City hosting TS Galaxy on the evening of Friday 20 January, while Chippa will be away to Royal AM the following afternoon.

Chippa United (1) 1 (Ighodaro 45+1’)

Chippa United:Kazapua, Mdunyelwa, Chabalala, Pietersen, Ntsabo, Kammies, Poggenpoel, Mkhize, Mayo (Matrose 64’ [Maarman 88’]), Mbenyane (Ighodaro 40’), Appollis (Luthuli 40’)

Cape Town City:Keet, Mkhize, Gordinho, Fielies, Van Heerden (Kajally 74’), Mokeke, Ambina, Makola (Mdantsane 74’), Nodada (Lakay 74’), Zapata (Gonzalez 64’), Mani