Chilli Boys up for Downs

Chippa United have switched their focus to the Absa Premiership after being dumped out of the Telkom Knockout Challenge by Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

The Chilli Boys’ journey in the TKO was cut short after losing 1-0 to Pirates, who now progress to the quarterfinals.

The Port Elizabeth-based club now go head-to-head with PSL giants Mamelodi Sundowns in a crucial league match at East London’s Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday.

In 2017, Chippa caused an upset when they knocked the Brazilians out of the TKO after beating them 1-0 at the same venue, and they will hope for a similar outcome this weekend.

Coach Eric Tinkler had banked on a win against Pirates to set the right tone for the Sundowns clash and will now have to dig deep to get his players’ minds right.

“The work ethic of the players has been good since I arrived,” Tinkler said.

“I think what we are trying to do as a club is to become more professional, both on and off the field.

“I am a firm believer that if you come with a professional attitude it will rub off onto the people you work with.

“I like to see myself as a hardworking professional and expect the people I work with to do the same.”

The Chilli Boys have had an average start to their league campaign, bagging just eight points from as many matches.

They are 11th on the log, having won two games, drawn two and lost four. Tinkler has bought two players, Thato Mokeke and Miguel Timm, in a bid to strengthen the team.

“I worked with Mokeke at Cape Town City and at SuperSport. He brings us versatility because he can [play] centreback [and] left back and is a technically gifted footballer.

“Timm is a box-to-box midfielder and good, professional, hardworking player.”

Meanwhile, Telkom Cup holders Bidvest Wits are away at Maritzburg United in the quarterfinal of the Telkom Knockout after the draw conducted in Durban on Tuesday.

Kaizer Chiefs will host SuperSport United, while AmaZulu, who defeated Cape Town City 2-1 on Tuesday, have a home game against Pirates.

The dangerous Baroka were handed a home game against champions Sundowns in the other match in the last eight.

The matches will be played on Saturday, November 3 and Sunday, November 4.

The final, on December 8, will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. –