Stakes high for Chippa

The stakes are high as Chippa United head into their penultimate match before the Absa Premiership takes its festive season break.

The Port Elizabeth-based soccer side host Polokwane City at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday (8pm) and then close off away to Bidvest Wits on Friday next week.

Victories in both games will see the Chilli Boys break for the holidays in a far more attractive position on the log than their current 14th spot.

Striker Rhulani Manzini, who made his second start of the season for Chippa against Cape Town City on Tuesday, said the players were looking forward to Friday’s encounter.

“We are ready for Friday night’s game,” Manzini said.

“The mood in the camp is good, the coach [Joel Masutha] has brought about confidence in the players.

“He has instructed us to play without fear and he has boosted our confidence going forward as we try to get maximum points on Friday.

“He’s a coach who believes in us, he gives us confidence every time to not be afraid of making mistakes.

“So, I think we are really pushing very hard.

“We are ready and we are willing to do anything to move up from the bottom of the log.”

The former AmaZulu player, who returned to Chippa at the start of the season, scored his first goal for the side on Tuesday since his comeback.

“It felt good to score that equaliser against Cape Town City. It was my second start of the season and it felt great to score again,” he said.

“It also lifted my confidence and I am hoping to score more goals this season.”

Manzini is aware their fixture

Rhulani Manzini

against the Rise and Shine will not be an easy one.

However, he said it was of utmost importance to win on Friday, not only to make Chippa’s fans happy, but to move away from the danger zone.

The Limpopo side are fourth on the log with 22 points from 14 games.

After playing to a 2-2 draw against Highlands Park on Tuesday, City will bring their A-game on Friday in an attempt to maintain their position on the log.

“We know Polokwane will also be looking to score points, but we are playing at home and we are confident that we are going to win on Friday,” Manzini said.

‘The mood in the camp is good, the coach [Joel Masutha] has brought about confidence in the players’

CHIPPA STRIKER