Chippa need to regain punch
Chilli Boys face tricky PSL encounter against struggling Bloemfontein Celtic
AFTER two consecutive defeats, Chippa United will be looking to get back to their winning ways when they play Bloemfontein Celtic tonight in a Premier Soccer League fixture. The match will take place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (kickoff 7.30pm).
The Chilli Boys suffered their first league defeat last week at the hands of Golden Arrows.
Chippa lost 1-0 to Abafana Bes’thende and that was followed by a 2-0 beating by league rookies Highlands Park on Friday in a Telkom Knockout Cup last-16 fixture.
The Chilli Boys have been playing impressive football and winning most of the ball possession in their games.
They have, however, been struggling to convert their chances.
The club last tasted victory when they thrashed newly promoted side Baroka FC 4-1 last month.
Head coach Dan Malesela has blamed his team’s poor finishing on bad decision making in front of goal.
Asked if the absence of the team’s top goal scorer, Rhulani Manzini, had affected the club, Malesela said: “No, it was a matter of finding the right combination.”
Manzini has been booked off for six weeks due to a metatarsal fracture after he was injured in the MTN8 first leg semifinal against Mamelodi Sundowns last month.
The coach will be happy to welcome back defender Diamond Thopola and attacking midfielder Tshwarelo Bereng from injury.
Both players have been great contributors in the club’s successes so far in the league.
Chippa are seventh on the log with seven points from four matches. The Chilli Boys return to their home ground after having played three of their league games away.
The last time the team played at the NMB Stadium was when they beat Free State Stars 2-1 in the season’s opening fixture.
Chippa have had a good record at home in past seasons and will be looking to continue with the momentum.
Celtic will be in search of their second PSL victory.
Phunya Sele Sele scored their first win of the league when they beat Platinum Stars 1-0 in their previous encounter.
The Bloemfontein side are 12th on the log with four points from four games.
On head-to-head stats Chippa and Celtic have met six times in the league since the 2012-13 season. The teams have an even record with three wins each.
Last season, the Chilli Boys were victorious in both the home and away fixtures.