Malesela predicts difficult clash against Cosmos
CHIPPA United coach Dan “Dance” Malesela anticipates a tough encounter against difficult National First Division side Jomo Cosmos in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals match tomorrow at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (3pm).
It is the first time that the Port Elizabeth based soccer team has made it this far in the competition in five attempts.
The Chilli Boys will have to play their hearts out against a tricky Cosmos side if they want to progress to the next stage of the tournament.
Although wary that Ezenkosi will not be an easy team to beat Malesela is hopeful that his troops will do him proud.
The former Orlando Pirates player said Cosmos was a difficult team to play against, however he has been able to spot their tricks and has a few tactics up his sleeves as well.
“It’s not an easy said. one [fixture],” he
“I watched Cosmos twice. I watched them against Bidvest Wits and now against Thanda Royal Zulu.
“It’s a very difficult team to play because you never really know what their structure is, but I realise that they play on counter attacks and pack the defence a lot.
“Whether they will do it here it’s another thing, but I am hoping that we can break packed defences. We have done that before.
“I am hopeful that if they do the same we will break them up.”
Malesela said Chippa had their own strategy when it came to cup matches because cup games could sometimes be decided by a single goal or mistake.
“So, we know what we do when we defend. I am not going to reveal that and we know what we do when we attack.
“But we are very economical with everything that we do in cup games defensively because we don’t want any slip up.
“I am very optimistic that we can win silverware.
“Otherwise I would not have been here if I didn’t have the ambition and the dream to win a cup some day, then I am useless.
“I am not disrespecting other people with the respect there is always a chance in every cup.
“There have been surprises before. Cups have been won by underdogs. Like before we want to do firsts with the club.
“If we go to the semi-finals it will be a first for the club and then we’ll wait for the next game. I am hopeful that we will go through this one.”