Chippa vow to keep their feet on pedal
CHIPPA United will be looking to chalk up another win when they play Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium (7.30pm) tomorrow.
The Port Elizabeth side finally broke their sevengame winless streak when they beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 in their previous league fixture.
The win might have given the Chilli Boys the boost they needed to get back to their winning ways once more.
Comeback Kid Sandile Zuke has played an incredible role in the team since his return at the club, which saw Chippa draw 1-1 against Maritzburg United and then there was the recent win against Amakosi.
He will be expected to bring his “A” game once more against Polokwane.
Zuke left Chippa at the end of last season after his contract was not renewed. He then rejoined the team early last month and will be with the team till the end of the season.
Many say his return has turned the club’s fortunes around, but the humble player thinks otherwise.
“I won’t say it’s my presence that has helped Chippa to win but it’s the whole team’s hard work. I just contributed here and there.
“But at the end of the day it’s the entire team that has been working hard to see to it that we achieve what we are meant to achieve.”
The 29-year-old midfielder says his role at Chippa is to mentor the younger players in the team.
He says the win against Chiefs has taken some pressure off the players going into their next fixture.
“It was difficult and there was pressure as well when the results were not coming, but we had hope that we will get that one win that will get us back to our form.”
The Chilli Boys are 10th on the log with 13 points from 11 games.
They have recorded three win, five draws and four defeats so far in the league this season. ● Maritzburg United will be gunning for a second successive league victory when they host Orlando Pirates at Harry Gwala Stadium this evening. Kickoff is at 7.30pm.
The Team of Choice head into this game oozing with confidence following their win over Baroka FC courtesy of a lone strike from Sheldon van Wyk a week ago.
United caretaker coach Fadlu Davids will be hoping to mastermind his side’s first home victory since taking over from combustible German mentor Ernst Middendorp last month.
In four games Davids has been in charge‚ the club have won two‚ drawn one and lost one.
Davids’ charges are ninth on the table with 14 points from 12 matches played this season.
“Credit to the players‚ they fought very hard under difficult circumstances. They showed a lot of fighting spirit‚” said Davids on club’s official website.
Pirates will be desperate to return to winning ways after two consecutive draws – a 2-2 against Highlands Park and 1-1 draw against Baroka FC – in their last two matches in the league.
Pirates are now fifth on the standings with 18 points from 11 matches in this campaign. — Additional reporting by Ofentse Ratsie