Payback time for Chilli Boys

Putting Bucs to the sword top priority

CHIPPA United will be looking to break their winless run against Orlando Pirates when the sides clash in their opening fixture of the new Premier Soccer League season at Soweto Stadium today (6pm).

But, more importantly, the Port Elizabeth side will be out to kick-start the new season on a high note and what better way to get the players flying high than a win against the Soweto giants.

The Chilli Boys lost both of their matches against the Buccaneers last season with a 1-0 result at home and a 2-1 defeat away.

Chippa will also attempt this season to improve on their below-par performance which only saw them secure their topflight status on the final day of the 20162017 campaign.

Chippa made a bold statement about how serious they are signing 13 new players in a bid to strengthen the team.

This saw the return of Mark Mayambela, Zitha Macheke and James Okwuosa to the Chilli Boys camp.

Malesela has tested his new recruits during their pre-season camp where they played eight friendly games with the final one being a 1-0 victory Kaizer Chiefs early this month.

Meanwhile, Pirates will be out to make amends from last season when they finished a disappointing 11th.

Newly appointed coach Milutin Sredojevic who replaced Kjell Jonevret two weeks before the kick-off, said despite the limited time he is confident his players will be rewarded with a good result today after the hard work they have put in this week.

“We have camped four or five days in Rustenburg. We established a correct working relationship where we want each individual to contribute and fight for their places in the team.

“Now‚ 48 hours before the game‚ I would say I am satisfied‚” said Sredojevic.