Concerns over Chilli Boys’ readiness Egypt and Ghana in quarterfinals

EGYPT qualified for the African Cup of Nations quarterfinals last night with a 1-0 victory over Ghana in Port-Gentil.

Mohamed Salah rifled a free-kick into the net that lifted his team to the top of Group D, a point ahead of Ghana.

Egypt stay in Port-Gentil for a last-eight showdown with Morocco on Sunday and Ghana face the DRC on the same day.

In the other game last night, Mali and Uganda drew 1-1 to both exit the tournament.

Uganda had already been eliminated and Mali needed to win – and hope Egypt lost. – AFP

I think by the time we start the matches, we will be ready

CHIPPA United coach Dan Malesela says his players need some more polishing before their Premier Soccer League fixture against Baroka at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on February 7.

The Chilli Boys returned to Port Elizabeth this week after a mid-season camp in Cape Town.

Chippa only have a week left before the start of the PSL second leg and Malesela still has concerns over the readiness of his players.

However, he said the team would use the remaining week or so to remedy issues that needed work on.

“We still have a lot of things to fix, but I think by the time we start the matches we will be ready,” Malesela said.

Asked what needed to be fine-tuned, he said: “The defending is what we need to fix . . . we need to make it very solid. The goal-scoring part and the attacking movement.

“We want to have a more offensive-minded team, because we deal with these teams that defend all the time. We need to be able to break even the tightest of defences.”

Chippa will go into the second stanza of the season without the services of key players Thembinkosi Lorch, James Okwuosa and Marc van Heerden, who have gone to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates.

Chilli Boys boss Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi confirmed early this week that Lorch, who was on loan at Chippa, had been recalled by Pirates.

Meanwhile, defenders Okwuosa and Van Heerden are part of a swap deal which will see the return of Nkosinathi Mthiyane and the addition of new signings Justice Chabalala, Donald Mokondeka and Sello Japtha.

The Chilli Boys are 11th on the log with 16 points from 14 matches.

They are only four points away from the relegation zone.