Mdu Shabalala capped off an impressive performance with a stunning individual goal, guiding Kaizer Chiefs to victory over Chippa United in a Betway Premiership match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday.

Shabalala received the ball on the wing, swiftly cut inside, and skillfully navigated past several Chippa defenders before unleashing a powerful shot that found the upper corner of the net. This crucial win propelled Chiefs to seventh in the table, totaling 15 points from 10 matches, just one point ahead of both Chippa United and Golden Arrows. Furthermore, this match marked their first clean sheet of the league season.

Chiefs came into this game with a troubling history against Chippa in Durban but managed to break their losing streak at home.

The 2024 season has been difficult for Chiefs, having secured only seven wins in all competitions. This underwhelming performance highlights the pressing need for significant improvement.

Before this match, Chiefs faced a concerning statistic: 13 goals scored and 13 conceded over nine league outings. They were also under the pressure of a three-match losing streak, making this victory essential for a strong finish to the year.

Yusuf Maart nearly opened the scoring with a header, and Wandile Duba’s shot narrowly missed the target. Chippa coach Kwanele Kopo, dissatisfied with his team’s performance, opted for an early substitution, bringing on Baraka Majogoro for Ayabulela Konqobo in the 35th minute.

Duba remained a constant threat, forcing another save from Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. However, it was Shabalala who stole the spotlight. Displaying remarkable skill, he evaded four defenders before launching a powerful strike past Nwabali, giving Chiefs a well-deserved lead just before halftime.

In the second half, Ashley Du Preez threatened with a quick first-time shot that nearly caught Nwabali off guard. Chiefs continued to press forward, but a scare arose when Bruce Bvuma nearly fumbled a header from Sinoxolo Kwayiba, which fortunately hit the crossbar.

As the match wore on, Chippa attempted a late offensive surge, but Bvuma denied Kwayiba from close range. Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi urged his players to maintain focus and withstand the pressure from Chippa.

This victory provided a much-needed boost for Chiefs, enabling them to conclude a disappointing 2024 season on a more positive note. Their previous campaign was marked by mediocre results, resulting in a finish outside the top eight.