Chase is on for the Great Escape
Chilli Boys aiming to come out blazing against Chiefs Barker hopes Midas touch can keep his Usuthu afloat
CARETAKER coach Velile “Eddie” Dyaloyi says Chippa United will launch a full-on assault when they clash with Kaizer Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium tomorrow afternoon (3pm).
The fate of the Chilli Boys’ PSL campaign has come down to the last game of the season and one point via a draw will be enough to secure safety from being in the danger zone.
They need to secure that one point against this season’s newly crowned champions the Amakhosi, who will be wanting to finish their league-winning season on a high before being presented with their trophy.
But, no problem says Dyaloyi. While others joke and suggest he should park the bus and play eight defenders, Dyaloyi believes otherwise.
“For me, one thing that will help the team is to go out and score against Kaizer Chiefs. I know we need one point but we cannot just go out and defend. We need to go out and attack Kaizer Chiefs.
“Going into Saturday’s game against Chiefs, we have to prepare ourselves well if we want to win that game or perhaps secure a draw,” said Dyaloyi.
A loss against Chiefs could be enough to avoid the threat of relegation if AmaZulu lose to Maritzburg.
If AmaZulu win, Chippa will have to draw to avoid the promotion-relegation playoffs against the second and third-placed teams in the National First Division.
Last-placed side Moroka Swallows are doomed due to their negative goal difference.
Chippa are in 14th place on the log with 30 points from 29 games.
They managed a vital point while playing to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night against Mpumalanga Black Aces at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. A win for Chippa against Aces could have secured them a place in the PSL next season, taking into account Wednesday night’s other results. Dyaloyi says his side were unlucky not to have beaten Aces. “We played well as a team and we could have won that game with the chances we had. Playing to a draw away from home was a massive achievement.”
Dyaloyi took over the reins from Mich D’Avray who was axed by Chippa’s chairman Siviwe Chippa Mpengesi after the team lost 2-0 to Free State Stars at the weekend.
The former Bay United and Blackburn Rovers coach has confirmed he will once again be on the bench as caretaker coach tomorrow.
“I am registered with the club’s first team now which means I must finish the remaining games,” he said.
Dyaloyi said they have achieved their first step of not getting automatically relegated and the next step was to stay in the PSL.
“We have sat down with the players and they realise we really are in need of a win. We are safe from being relegated automatically.
“Now we need to get out of the playoffs – we’re not thinking about that. We have to think positively.”
Dyaloyi says the team has no injuries from Wednesday’s game, adding: “We are happy Manti Moholo will be back from suspension.” WHEN Steve Barker joined AmaZulu with the side winless in 11 Absa Premiership matches, pushing his new club all the way to the final day drama tomorrow seemed an impossible task.
The early indication was that Usuthu’s unbroken nineyear run in the country’s top-tier would end as early as March.
Barker remained defiant in the face of criticism even after one win in eight matches by the end of February.
Then came the late surge, one that has carried Usuthu and given them a fighting chance at the great escape from relegation when they host neighbours, Maritzburg United, at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“We have had a couple of setbacks along the way, but I told them that on the way to winning a war you will lose some battles,” Barker said after AmaZulu’s comefrom2-1 victory away to Tuks on Wednesday.
Usuthu only had four points when the 47-year-old coach replaced Wilfred Mugeyi, who was asked to temporarily take charge after Craig Rosslee’s sacking. Tomorrow, three points will spare them from automatic relegation.
“If we have to go through the playoffs to save the status of this club then so be it,” the coach said.
“They [Maritzburg] have had a great season and it is going to be about who wants it more. Do they want the Top 8 more than we want to stay in the league? Hopefully we can have that desire,” Barker added.