Vital points at a premium for Chilli Boys

CHIPPA United coach Vladislav Heric expects his team to be more competitive when they play Free State Stars in their Absa Premiership match at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane tomorrow.

The Port Elizabeth side meet Stars for the second time in a week after losing 2-1 to them in the Nedbank Cup last 16 competition at the weekend.

Heric, who came in last week to replace axed Teboho Moloi, said his first task had been to assess the players and he is happy with how they had received him.

The former Bay United coach comes in at a crucial time in the Chilli Boys’ season where they are in need of points. Chippa have only recorded one win from the six matches they have played this year.

Their poor run in the PSL has them languishing near the relegation zone. They are only three points clear from the playoff spot, which is currently occupied by Ajax Cape Town.

However, the Serbian coach said pressure was part of the game and his mandate was clear and that was to save Chippa from relegation and make sure the team finished in a respectable place at the end of the season.

“Free State Stars will come to fight for the point, there is no question about that. But I expect my side to be more competitive for this game,” said Heric.

“We will try by all means to rectify the mistakes we committed in our last game, which in general was defending against the breaks.

“You could see that we conceded two goals out of the blue from the breaks and they actually won the game by not even creating one or two chances.

“Obviously, we cannot blame anyone; we have to look at ourselves. We have to focus on our mistakes and rectify them and actually work on our progress.

“That is all I am asking from the players. I believe we can have positive results after that.”

The coach said there would be minor changes to the squad who played Stars in the Nedbank Cup. Although he did not want to give away too much about the changes, he did hint he was looking at strengthening the backline.

This is especially so now that his strongest defender James Okwuosa has been ruled out due to having picked up a fourth yellow card.

“There will be small changes to the team from the side that played Stars last weekend. James will not start on Saturday.

“It’s not easy to replace him, he’s our captain and he is a good player but I do believe we have other good players to take his position and do a proper defending job.”