Macheke: We are ready to face Sundowns
On the Absa Premiership fixture against Sundowns
We lost our last two games, in the league and the cup, going into this big game against Mamelodi Sundowns, but the good thing about playing big teams is that every player is motivated and no one wants to be on the bench. Everybody relishes the chance of playing against a big team like Sundowns. We are busy preparing for the game and, by the time Saturday afternoon comes, we will be ready for Sundowns. The good thing is that we are playing at home and there is no better place to bounce back than at home!
On what should be expected
We all know that Sundowns is a well-oiled machine who play attacking football and have better quality than most teams in the league, but people should also remember that we are competing at the same level with them. We are all fighting for the same throne with them every season, so being in the same league as them means that we are capable of beating them at any given day. But take nothing away from them, they are a quality side. Football is a game of opportunities and if we take our opportunities, then we stand a chance of winning the game.
On Chippa’s form at Sisa Dukashe
We are aware that Sundowns haven’t lost a game since February, but we also have a very good record at Sisa Dukashe this season. We haven’t lost there and that gives us confidence ahead of this crunch fixture. Remember the last time they visited Sisa Dukashe, we beat them 1-0, so they know that coming here is not going to be easy for them. The good thing about playing them is that we know how they play and we know that they will come at us. We are ready to face Sundowns any day of the week. It is just a matter of putting in the effort on our side and then we will be fine and posi- tive results will come.
On playing some of their games in East London
I am not at liberty to say exactly why we are playing some of our home games at Sisa Dukashe because I don’t know, but I think with Chippa United being the only Absa Premiership team in the Eastern Cape, it’s only fair that we take games to all parts of the province. We know that Sundowns is a big team and they have supporters’ branches in Mdantsane, but we also have branches there and we enjoy large support from the locals. People of Mdantsane always show us love whenever we play our home games there, whether it’s a midweek or weekend game.
On the Sisa Dukashe pitch
The pitch at Sisa Dukashe was criticised before, but now it is very good and it will allow both teams to play their free-flowing football. Even back then, the reason was the faulty drainage system, which has been fixed and is in a very good condition now. Saturday’s game is going to be exciting and it is going to be worth the spectator’s money. I hope the people of Mdantsane, who have never disappointed, will once again come out and support us on the day.
On their preferred home venue
Sisa Dukashe always provides a great atmosphere for the people of Mdantsane. Those people are passionate about the game! They always give us that push as players and it really helps us. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is also our home venue and it’s a very good stadium, but in terms of the atmosphere and the vibe, then Sisa Dukashe will be your place.
On Chippa’s poor start to the season
We’ve only played eight games, so there’s still a lot of time to rectify our mistakes and get good results. However, we cannot solely blame it on the change of coaches – yes, it might have played a part, but it is not only the change of coaches that made us start this season poorly. There are a number of other factors, like the fact that we have a lot of new players who will take time to gel with the team. I am happy that everything is slowly but surely coming together though – I mean, we played very well against Orlando Pirates and we were just unfortunate to concede a goal against the run of play. We were also unlucky not to score a goal in that game.
On the influence of international players
They play a big role in the team. They bring the African flair and I think we need them in almost every game. Their experience works in the team’s favour all the time. Guys like James Okwuosa have international experience and that always comes into play, especially in games like this upcoming one against Sundowns. Their influence, coupled with the hard work of the rest of the team, has been good for Chippa United.
On the Mark Mayambela incident
Well, I am not the right person to talk about this one, but yeah, Mark came out and apologised to the team and we all accepted his apology because he is our leader. The fact that he came out and apologised shows that he is a true leader. Everybody makes mistakes and football is a game of emotions and, on the day, emotions got the better of him, which is why that happened. We have accepted his apology and we still respect him as our leader. I am sure he has spoken to the coach as well and, surely, everything is sorted now.
On the club’s ambitions
The chairman told us that he doesn’t expect more from us and that we did the Eastern Cape proud and that we must continue from where we left off last season. We are looking at the Top Eight and to maybe get into a cup final if possible. There’s still a lot to play for.
This week we hear from Zitha Macheke – Chippa United defender