Chilli Boys eager to finish on hot run
Chippa United are working towards getting into the Absa Premiership top eight bracket by the time they reach the December break, says team skipper Mark Mayambela.
The Port Elizabeth-based professional club currently occupies 13th position on the log with nine points from 10 matches. But they are only four points off their target and a winning streak could see them achieve that goal.
Chippa have gone winless in their last four matches with their most recent result being a credible goalless draw away to Kaizer Chiefs.
The Chilli Boys play Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday night and next Friday host AmaZulu at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“It’s very important for us to try our outmost best to get the results that we need. We are going for three points. Our position on the log is not looking attractive,” said Mayambela.
“So, it is important that we accumulate as many points as possible so that at least by December we will be sitting comfortably in the top eight.
“I think that would be great for the team and for our supporters as well.”
Coach Eric Tinkler’s troops have had a two-week break to prepare for both fixtures courtesy of the internationals and the Telkom Knockout semifinals taking place this weekend. “The break gave us time to prepare well for our next game which is against Martizburg United. We know that it is a very tricky team.
“They are a good side and especially that they will be playing at home. The break also gave us time to work on ourselves as well as team,” he said.
“We played a friendly match against an ABC Motsepe League team Sibanye today and beat them 4-0,” he said on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately there aren’t many competitive teams in Nelson Mandela Bay, so it’s a bit difficult for us to get proper opponents to test ourselves.
“The competitive level is not the same of our opponents in terms of quality but the friendly game will definitely help us in terms of mastering what we have been practising at training.”
Asked about the importance of their double-header next week, Mayambela said: “Every game is important to us, it does not matter who we’re up against. I think all of our opponents are competitive.
“The level of football has grown, the teams have grown in terms of the quality of players and coaches.
“I think holistically we can improve as a team. I do not want to isolate any departments we have.”
It’s very important for us to try our best to get the results that we need