Heric preps Chippa to stay focused
CHIPPA United coach Vladislav Heric is out to double-up on his winnings when his team host Ajax Cape Town in Premier Soccer League at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Heric secured his second victory at the Port Elizabeth-based side since taking over from Teboho Moloi when Chippa beat Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The win against Amakhosi lifted the Chilli Boys to seventh position on the log with 33 points from 26 matches. They are only six points clear off the playoff spot which is currently occupied by their opponents Ajax.
Heric is aware that Sunday’s game will not be an easy clash but says they have prepped the players well for the match.
“To prepare the players after their 3-0 win against Kaizer Chiefs is a little bit difficult, in terms of getting their feet on the ground,” said the former Bay United mentor.
“We have to work more on the mentality of the players than anything else because we are playing good football. A minority of mistakes cost us some games.
“Ajax is fighting to escape relegation, they are fighting for life. They are wounded lions and we all know how they are going to fight.
“They have no choice, but to do their best to win on Sunday. So, I do not see any inferior team coming here.
“I see a very strong opponent, I see a very serious competitor and I see Ajax coming here and pull all the stops to win the match.
“We have to be on our toes and approach them in the same mental way as we did Sundowns and Chiefs. If we don’t do that than it’s going to be difficult.
“But, as the technical team we will do our best on our side to make the player 100% focused on the game and in technical discipline,” he said.
Heric said their mandate changed after clinching three points against Chiefs. Now, the team was no longer fighting to avoid relegation, but for a top eight finish.
There are only four more games before the season concludes and the Chippa coach is confident that they will reach their goal.
“We have all agreed that we are going to do our best to reach the top eight,” he said.
“This is now our target we have already set a target after winning the Chiefs game.
“I believe the three points gave us the right to think as such and the players, management and the technical team we agreed that we are going to work hard to achieve that goal.”