Struggling Chippa must get out of rut

Chippa United will be banking on homeground advantage when they play a competitive Highlands Park in an Absa Premiership fixture on Sunday afternoon at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The Port Elizabeth-based side suffered their second consecutive loss on Sunday when they went down 3-2 to Black Leopards.

Chippa are second from the bottom of the log with 20 points from 23 games. They are desperately in need of points to move from the position they are in on the log.

The Chilli Boys are only a point away from safety and three points clear from automatic relegation.

Prior to the setbacks the team was on a roll having managed to stay unbeaten in six matches since Clinton Larsen took over, of which four of those matches were played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. “It’s our home game so we have to make sure at home we do the business at home,” said Larsen.

“Highlands Park are not the best travellers. I think they are on 29 points so they are also not where they would like to be.

“I am sure they wanted a top eight finish so they will be pushing for that.

“But for us it’s a game against a team I see as one of our equals. I have always said it that outside of the big six teams, which Cape Town City is included, the other 10 teams I see as equals.

“Those are the teams that are fighting for top honours in league.”

The coach said there was stiff competition to make the starting 11 among the players which is healthy as it keeps everyone on their toes.

He said as the coach he also enjoys the headache of having these different permutations to play around with as it puts the team in a strong position.