We’re cooking at last, says happy Chilli Boys captain

Chippa United’s hard work over the past three weeks finally prevailed when they beat Baroka 1-0 at Mdantsane’s Sisa Dukashe Stadium at the weekend.

These sentiments were shared by club captain Mark Mayambela, reacting to their first win of 2018/2019 after three losses and a draw.

The three points helped the Chilli Boys climb the log standings to 14th place on four points.

Mayambela said things could only improve at the Port Elizabeth club.

“We worked so hard these past weeks and I think that it’s a blessing in disguise.

“The three weeks gave coach Eric Tinkler a chance to work on a lot of things he wants us to do in the field of play,” Mayambela said.

“Everyone is very happy that we created so many chances – and we had to score a goal like that. As much as I won’t say we deserve the win, I can say we worked hard for [it].”

He said he was partly happy with his own performance during the encounter against Wedson Nyirenda’s charges.

“There are some aspects that I want to improve on, especially on how the coach wants us to play.

“When coach Eric came to us he said he was not going to change a lot of things.

“[He did say] he was going to use the way that we were playing more effectively.”

Mayambela was referring to the chances they created during the game, “which is something that may have been difficult for us in the past”.

“To create many chances in one game, and that’s one thing that I respect about coach Tinkler is that he [doesn’t want] to change anything that coach Dan Malesela did.

“Instead, he is using whatever coach Dan taught us with his own coaching style.”

He said the result was the push they had all been yearning for, so they could get back to their winning ways after a disappointing start to their campaign.

“You always want to win games whenever you play, especially when you play in Mdantsane.

“The people always come in their numbers to support us. And in Port Elizabeth as well.

“But we had to win here, and after a win the confidence of the team is always up.

“So we look forward to taking three points in the next game. But, of course, if that doesn’t happen we’ll take the results we get.

“But our plan with the position we are in, we’d love to come out with the three points.”

Mayambela also thanked the club’s support base in East London, attributing the win to their presence at the NU2 venue.