Chippa banking on good fortune at Sisa Chiefs masterstroke is fired for the fightback
WITH only four games left before the curtain comes down on the PSL, relegationChippa United will have to turn the corner on Saturday.
The Chilli Boys welcome a top eight chasing Ajax Cape Town at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane (kick-off 3pm).
While the PE outfit has been experiencing a poor run of form that eventually led to coach Dan “Dance” Malesela put on “special leave”, the team will be banking on their good East London run.
The Chilli Boys are yet to lose in East London and with the top-flight starved soccer fans once again expected to come out in numbers, the hosts will be eager to turn their season around and start moving away from the relegation zone.
Chippa are 13th on the log with 24 points from 26 games – and are only two points ahead of basement dwellers, Highlands Park.
A win for the Eastern Cape side against Ajax will be a huge morale-booster going into the last three games.
The hosts have been one of the mustwatch teams in the PSL with their slick passing, attractive carpet football style, but they have failed to turn their beautiful football into points.
This will be something that stand-in coach Mbuyiselo Sambu will be hoping to get right in their last four games – starting with Ajax on Saturday.
For Chippa to emerge victorious on Saturday, the team will have to produce an all-round improved performance with the strikers banging in the goals, while the midfielders will have to supply the marksmen. The goalkeeper and his defenders will also have to be on top form and not concede the team’s 31st goal of the season.
On paper, Chippa should have enough firepower to get the better of fellow strugglers, Highlands Park, Free State Stars while they can also upset SuperSport United.
And while they will not want to rely on their superior goal difference over 14thplaced Stars, Baroka FC at position 15 and Highlands Park at the bottom of the table, Chippa stand a better mathematical chance of retaining their PSL status.
The Peddie-born Sambu, who has been tasked with saving the team from the hovering axe, has said that the remaining games will need calm heads. RAMAHLWE Mphahlele arrived at Kaizer Chiefs as their headline signing of 2016-17 and has not disappointed‚ establishing himself as the best rightback in the Absa Premiership this season and one of four players carrying Amakhosi.
Mphahlele‚ the defender whose captaincy of a galaxy of stars at Mamelodi Sundowns to the PSL title in 2015-16 served notice of his intelligence and leadership capabilities‚ was lured to Naturena by a more respectable pay package in the pre-season.
It was surprising that Downs let the player go‚ and a move to Chiefs‚ trophyless that season‚ seemed a risky career move for Mphahlele.
Sundowns have gone on to be Caf Champions League winners and competed at the 2016 Fifa Club World Cup‚ while Chiefs’ trophy woes have continued.
Mphahlele’s personal winning mentality‚ though‚ has not suffered.
He is one of four players who have stood out as models of consistency at an Amakhosi, who have managed an unbeaten 12-match unbeaten run this season‚ but capitulated in crucial games.
The right-back‚ blisteringly in-form Siphiwe Tshabalala‚ and, of course Willard Katsande in central midfield and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune‚ have been models of consistency.
From the rest‚ with the possible exception of centre-backs Lorenzo Gordinho and Mulomowandau Mathoho‚ it has been a decidedly mixed bag as Amakhosi’s last chance at silverware – in the league – has slipped in the past fortnight.
Mphahlele‚ ever the competitor‚ says Chiefs need to at least finish as runners-up to ensure a place in the Champions League.
“In football you win and sometimes you lose‚ and you don’t win trophies‚” the defender said.
“But when you are playing for Kaizer Chiefs you are expected to win‚ and there are no excuses.
“The most important thing is for the team to win trophies.
“We’re disappointed when we don’t,” said Mphahlele.
“Because there are players‚ there are facilities‚ there’s everything that you need to win the league and win cups at Chiefs.
“If it doesn’t happen we’ll be very disappointed but guess what‚ next season we will go again‚ and we’ll work harder.
“And I’ll tell you we will win something – we will win a cup‚ we will win the league.
“We have to just work hard and keep pushing‚ because if you give up in football you are in the wrong business.
“If we make the Champions League spot this season‚ it’s good for the club – then we can compete [in Africa].
“So the last four games are very important and crucial for us so that we can finish up with the top clubs.”
Chiefs are in fourth place in the PSL‚ on 46 points from 26 games‚ six points behind leaders Bidvest Wits and five off the pace from second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns‚ who both have a game in hand. — TMG