Larsen pins hopes on fans

Chippa United coach Clinton Larsen will be banking on the “12th man” in East London to help him win against a “rejuvenated” SuperSport United team when the two sides meet in an Absa Premiership fixture at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Port Elizabeth-based side have not lost a game in six matches since Larsen took over two months ago.

Chippa are 13th on the log, but still not out of danger as only a point separates them from 15th-placed Free State Stars.

The former Golden Arrows mentor is aware that their match against SuperSport will not be easy, and is banking on their supporters to help them bag the points on Sunday.

“We are going against a very rejuvenated SuperSport team. They have their tails up at the moment. With the 12th man in East London we have to make life difficult for them,” said Larsen.

“I think the pitch [in Sisa Dukashe] might be smaller [than Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium], but we won’t change our approach.

“What has improved is that our offensive players are doing two things better than they were previously.

“Number one, they are defending from the front, or at least they are making an effort, which they were not doing previously. And number two, I think we are a little bit direct in key moments when we win the ball.

“I think the longer we go unbeaten the more fear we will instill in teams.”