Chippa happy to face Downs, after aerial bombardment

Tinkler positive style of play will suit the Chilli Boys

Chippa United coach Eric Tinkler is expecting a different ball game altogether when his team meet Mamelodi Sundowns in a PSL fixture at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London on October 27.

The team struggled with the aerial style of play employed by Highlands Park in their last game, which they lost 2-1 in Tembisa last Saturday.

Tinkler is pleased to be playing against a side that plays a similar brand of football as the Chilli Boys. The coach now has more than two weeks to fine-tune his team before they play Sundowns.

“We don’t need to make changes because they don’t play long balls, they don’t play aerial balls. They are a football team ... they look to play good football,” Tinkler said.

“I don’t think Highlands played good football and we struggled to deal with them.”

However, the coach also understands that his team needs to be alert when it comes to the aerial style of play. “It’s an area we need to work on. I said it against Free State Stars because they also play long and high balls and once or twice we got caught [off guard].

“I spoke to the players and told them we are going to play against other teams who are actually better in doing it, which was the case with Highlands. Then you have another team that is coming up that is even better than Highlands. Wits also play the long ball.”