Chippa load up on Lentjies

Big things are expected from Chippa United attacking midfielder Kurt Lentjies and he is happy to accept the responsibility his coach Clinton Larsen has placed on his shoulders.

The seasoned and well-travelled player joined Chippa from Maritzburg United last season.

He has been instrumental in the Chilli Boys’ current good run, which has seen them unbeaten after five matches.

Their most recent success was a 2-0 triumph over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the Nedbank Cup fixture.

Lentjies will be expected to be in tune once again when Chippa take on Golden Arrows in an Absa Premiership fixture on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (8pm) in Port Elizabeth.

“I worked with coach Larsen at [Bloemfontein] Celtic during the 2011-2012 season, when we lifted the Telkom Knockout Cup together.

“Me and the coach have a rich background.

“I know what is expected of me on match day, just like any other player in the team.”

Larsen said Lentjies was one of the most underrated players in the league.

“He is a very intelligent player and I think he has been underrated for so many years,” he said.

“His understanding of his positioning in relation to what his teams need and in relation to what the opponents are doing is on another level.

“He is such a good professional on and off the field and that is why he is giving the performances that he is, because of his lifestyle,” Larsen said.

“He is a very good example to the younger players, but once again I have to also manage Kurt,” he said.

“I don’t want him to break down because of the overload. “I have to be very sensible. “I have had this discussion with him.

“At some point I have to rest him but it’s hard to make that decision when he is playing so well, but I have to do it and Kurt knows that as well.”

Speaking about their match against Arrows, Lentjies, 34, said it was as important as any other upcoming league match until the end of the season.

“We want to continue with the momentum of winning football matches and that is what we are working towards.

“The mood is good in the camp but we are not getting carried away on our form, we want to take it one game at a time.

“Our preparations have been going well as always.

“The guys are working well together and we are looking forward to collecting three points because we are playing at home and in front of our supporters,” he said.

‘I worked with coach Larsen at [Bloemfontein] Celtic during the 2011-2012 season, when we lifted the Telkom Knockout Cup together. Me and the coach have a rich background’ Kurt Lentjies

CHIPPA UNITED MIDFIELDER