SPORT: Chippa plan to boss Baroka
Chilli Boys hoping for another victory in Bay
CHIPPA United coach Dan “Dance” Malesela will not fiddle with his starting lineup when his team faces Baroka in a Premier Soccer League fixture at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium tonight (7.30pm).
The Port Elizabeth-based side return to the grindstone following a twoweek international break.
The Chilli Boys went into the recess with a three-point boost following their 2-0 victory over AmaZulu in their last league game.
The win saw Chippa back from a 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the league opener.
Their win against AmaZulu was achieved on home soil, and Chippa will be hoping to continue with the good run when they play Bakgaga tonight.
“We have one enforced change in Zephania Mbokoma, because his brother passed away and was buried at the weekend,” Malesela said.
“At the moment, I am not really sure who I will replace him with because there is so much competition in the club. These guys are giving their all.
“It’s a home game and we want to win at home every time.
“We want to continue with that, we want to keep a very good record here [Nelson Mandela Bay] and in East London.
“The break gave us a chance to work on certain aspects of the game, which I won’t talk about. We are getting used to it and we are getting better.”
The coach had a look at what his opponents had to offer when Baroka played Orlando Pirates.
Malesela, however, said the focus would not be on the visitors when preparing his team but more on their two previous matches.
“Our focus is not really on them but on the past two games that we played, and where we went wrong and what we need to fix.
“I won’t talk about opponents. I need to focus on my team,” he said.
Meanwhile, Baroka will be out to clinch their first victory against Chippa tonight.
The Limpopo-based side have not beaten Malesela’s troops in a league match since joining the PSL.
Last season, they lost at home and away to Chippa.
But most importantly, they will be hoping to record their first win of the new season, after two consecutive draws against Polokwane City and Pirates.
Mamelodi Sundowns have moved up to third place on the Absa Premiership standings after defeating Free State Stars 2-1 at the Goble Park Stadium last night.
Percy Tau scored both goals for the Brazilians, who join leaders Maritzburg United and Cape Town City on six points – although the latter two teams now have a game in hand.
As for Ea Lla Koto, defeat in new coach Luc Eymael’s first match in charge sees them drop to second-last on the log. – Additional reporting by SuperSport.com