Chippa need to up game in new year

CHIPPA United will resume their Premier Soccer League campaign next month knowing that they have to hit the ground running.

When they started their month-long break, Chippa were aware that unless they get back on the winning track, they could find themselves drawn into an unwanted relegation battle.

In their last game, the Chilli Boys went down 1-0 to Ajax Cape Town and that left them in a lowly 11th spot on the log. They are now only four points away from the relegation zone and coach Dan “Dance” Malesela will be starting to feel the heat.

He had been hoping that a win against Ajax could send his team off to Christmas with a morale-boosting win ahead of the break.

However, things did not go according to plan and Malesela will be using the break to try to find much-needed solutions on how he can get his charges back to their winning ways.

The Chilli Boys’ first match in the new year will be a tricky encounter against league rookies Baroka FC at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 8.

Ahead of the season Malesela had made it clear he had set his sights on finishing higher than their sixth place finish of last season. If that is to happen, Chippa need to find a consistency which has so far been lacking in their game.

Malesela is also aware that the league season is a marathon rather than a sprint as clubs give their all either to avoid relegation or to chase a top eight finish.

One option might be for Chippa to swoop into the transfer market in an effort to bolster areas which might have been lacking in the opening half of the season.

Chippa chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi has gone on record as saying that he does not see a need to shop around, but might sign one or two players.

It is vital Chippa retain their place in the top flight and another top eight finish would be the cherry on top for Bay soccer lovers.