Larsen backs Chilli Boys to keep firing
CLINTON Larsen is confident that he’s got enough depth to compete in the Absa Premiership and Nedbank Cup. Chippa have been on good run of form since Larsen took over the hot seat in January. In the league, he’s bagged seven points out of nine, while in the Nedbank Cup they’ve also been ruthless as they scored four goals in two matches, while keeping cleans sheets. On Saturday, they progressed to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank following a 2-0 victory over Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila. However, they’ve also got a mammoth task in the league as they’ve got to escape the relegation quagmire as they are currently 13th on the log and a mere three points clear of bottom club Maritzburg United.
“We’ve got a small group of players and we’ve got to use them sparingly,” Larsen acknowledged. “We’ve got to make sure that we spread the work load throughout the squad, so it’s important that the fringe players get the results for us when they get the opportunity to play. It’s a bit of pressure on them because the other boys have been doing well, but I am confident that when we call upon them, they’ll give us the performances that we are looking for.”
Those players that have been in the side-lines for Larsen include Daine Klate, Mark Mayambela and Ruzaigh Gamildien. There’re only 10 games to go before the season concludes but those seasoned campaigners will be invaluable in ensuring that the Chilli Boys stay afloat this season. Moreover, Klate has been around to see it all considering that he’s won the PSL championship with the last three teams that he’s previously played for – SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits.
“(Unfortunately), Daine is injured at the moment, but he could have started on Saturday or would have been on the bench,” Larsen said on his absence from the game on Saturday. “He pulled a groin in the week, but he’s injury is minor and he could feature in the (Golden) Arrows game.”
The Chilli Boys’ clash with Abafan Bes’thende on Friday will also serve as a reunion between Larsen and his former employers. The club from Lamontville sacked the 48-yearold coach following a string of poor results during his stint. His current spell with Chippa has got off to a flying start especially working under the trigger-happy chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi, who’s already fired four coaches this season. Vladislav Heric, Dan Malesela, Eric Tinkler and Joel Masutha were all shown the door by Mpengesi as they failed to deliver in the first half of the campaign. However, Larsen feels that he’s still indebted to his predecessors.
“There are so many coaches (that have been here) and they did things differently,” Larsen said. “I’ve also got to be tactful of how I approach this post. I can’t change too much too soon. But I must give the previous coaches credit because there was a foundation that I could work on – as they’ve all contributed somehow to the team.”