Chippa prepare for showdown at Sisa
Sundowns wait in wings
Chippa United chairperson Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi is ecstatic with the direction to which the club is moving ahead of the crucial league clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on Saturday.
Mpengesi told the Daily Dispatch that they were ready for the 2017-18 season Absa Premiership champions whom they last hosted at the NU2 venue last season.
The chair – most famous for being trigger-happy when it comes to under-performing coaches – said their new coach Eric Tinkler was a tried and tested mentor hence he had no doubts about him taking three points against the Brazilians.
Mpengesi said Tinkler’s efforts were evident in the Chilli Boys camp although they were still occupying 11th position on the log-standings with eight points.
“I want to commend the coach for a good a job at the club. Because he’s won two games, lost two games and drew one game, so that’s good work from the coach in the five games that we’ve been with him.
“And I’m comfortable with the position that we are in on the log-standings,” he said.
He said if the PE-based outfit could bag seven points in every five games they play they would be in a good position when the season concludes.
“I’m happy with the fact that we are going to Sisa Dukashe with this coach that we have, because we know that Sundowns has never beaten us at Sisa Dukashe.
“We are looking forward to win that game in front of our strongest fan base and it was just unfortunate that we didn’t win against [Orlando] Pirates. I believe that we dominated the game.
“We were the better team in the game, so the East London and surroundings fans must come in their number to witness another exciting matchup.
“We thought of them and we decided to bring them this exciting fixture, and we know with their support we will be victorious.
“We are playing against the champions, but we are prepared for the game.”
Mpengesi said he was disappointed with the away 1-0 loss to Pirates this past Saturday during the 2018 Telkom Knock-
I’m happy with the fact that we are going to Sisa Dukashe with this coach that we have
out at the Orlando Stadium. But he said the Chilli Boys’ performance during the 90 minutes put a smile on his face.
“I was happy with the way the boys performed because for the first time I’m seeing a direction my club [is taking]. There’s professionalism all round in the team now and I think it’s because we have the best coach in the league.
“And we are looking for three points when we go to Sisa Dukashe. The boys are ready and that stadium is our slaughterhouse hence we’ll be looking for maximum points.
“We are playing a different Sundowns, it’s not the one we know that had the likes of Percy Tau and Khama Billiat.”
Mpengesi said they would be giving away tickets to their supporters and soccer lovers should be on the lookout in the media.
“We want people who can’t afford to pay for a ticket to get an opportunity to see the game as well,” said Mpengesi.
Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search cadet Lunathi “Lulu” Mdatyulwa has penned a three-year deal with an option to renew with Chippa United after he was drafted into the PE-based PSL outfit three weeks ago.
Mdatyulwa , 21, made a name for himself when he scored a goal for the 2018 Ke Yona team that went up against last season’s Nedbank Cup champions Free State Stars and lost 2-1 at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa last month.
The youngster was over the moon because he never imagined playing for a PSL team would come so quickly “as I was expecting the month-long trial to be more gruelling”.
He added: “Don’t get me wrong, it has not been easy for me because this is a professional club so everything must be done professionally and you can’t leave anything to chance.
“But I feel happy, reason being that I haven’t even finished my one-month trial at the club and they’ve already signed me, so I feel grateful about that.”
The attacking midfielder said all the players he looked up to were now his colleagues.
“I’ve always wanted to play with Thabo Rakhale, and the likes of Mark Mayambela and I can’t believe it’s finally happening. Being around players like Buyani Sali has encouraged me to push even harder so that when I get a chance to play I don’t disappoint anyone.
“Because I know the team has been having a tough time in the league, but it’s still early days and this weekend we are playing and I think we can get the desired results.”
He said last Saturday his teammates had chances to score against Orlando Pirates
But the team will bounce back in time for sure and I can’t wait to prove myself
“but we just couldn’t close the opposition fast enough, hence the opposition could cripple us with that 1-0 and it’s not nice losing 1-0.
“But the team will bounce back in time for sure and I can’t wait to contribute to that as well.”