Chippa feel plan falling into place

THE international break came as a blessing for Chippa United, allowing them to experiment with different formations and combinations, says coach Dan “Dance” Malesela.

The Chilli Boys play Cape Town City in a Premier Soccer League fixture at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Malesela will be hope his reshuffling will help to end the club’s winless drought.

The Port Elizabeth side has only won one match in their last four, their most recent result a 1-0 loss to Bidvest Wits.

“The international break came as a good blessing for us because there is a lot that we worked on,” the coach said.

“We tried different combinations. We also tried different personnel in different positions. So, I think it (the break) worked well for us.”

Chippa are eighth on the log with nine points from seven matches, a position which Malesela regards as “not bad”.

“I don’t think being eighth place of the log it’s a bad position to be in. I think what triggered this whole thing is how we started and expectations were very high.

“It also allowed other clubs to see ‘This is what you will be facing’. I think the results were good enough to have us refocused and we know what to expect from opponents.”

Chippa and The Citizens will be meeting for the first time in the PSL.

Although many might be fooled by the change from Mpumalanga Black Aces to Cape Town City and regard the team as being new in the league, Malesela thinks otherwise.

“There is nothing new in football so long as you have got the right personnel,” said the former Orlando Pirates skipper.

“I think if you have players who are willing to take instructions and are willing to work hard. You cannot even begin to say a club is new.

“It’s like clubs who are promoted from the lower divisions you underestimate them at you own peril.”