Moloi pleased with top eight spot after Arrows stalemate

CHIPPA United coach Teboho Moloi is satisfied his team is still in the top eight of the Absa Premiership despite yet another draw at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.

The 0-0 stalemate against Golden Arrows adds to the list of goal-scoring challenges that have dogged the Chilli Boys. They could have netted at least three to four goals on Sunday.

On the bright side, the one point at home has helped them retain their eighth spot on the top half of the table.

“Drawing against Arrows, even though they are below us on the table is a sign that they play good football,” Moloi said.

“This was an indication to us that both teams play exciting football and that both teams were testing each other.

“For me, Arrows will always get the respect they deserve because they have a good tactician in their coach Clinton Larsen.

“It was not by chance that they led the log for two months in the first round.

“We did not expect to run all over them just because they are below us on the log.

“I am happy that we are still in the top eight and we are still six points behind Cape Town City who are number two.

“We still have a good chance to start sprinting with those who want start running for the top position. We are still in touch with everyone and it is not over yet.

“Credit should be given to my players for an incredible performance despite the fact that they did not use their opportunities,” he said.

The Chilli Boys have only scored two goals in their last four games and this has raised some eyebrows about the team’s wasting of goal scoring opportunities.

However, Moloi says he is not concerned with this and that his team is still on course with their plans for the season.

“This is not a concern for us as it did not worry us in the first half of the season either,” Moloi said.

“If it was a problem or a concern for us we would not have had all the hype that we got in the first round. We do not understand why we have to start pressing panic buttons when there is no need to.

“I feel like this is always the case when things do not go the way people expect them to go.

“This is the best my players can give as they were performing the very same way in the first round of the season. Other teams are also performing the very same way they were playing in the last round.

“We know that grabbing chances has been our Achilles heel especially in the early games as this was the case in the first round.

“After two or three more games we will find our rhythm and get back to full potential and that problem will be solved. We are going to rise from where we are in no time,” he said.

Katlego Mashego could be out for the match against Maritzburg United on Friday after a niggling hamstring injury resurfaced during a challenge for the ball on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Arrows coach Clinton Larsen says the draw against Chippa was one too many for his team.

Arrows have had 10 draws in games this season.

“It is good to have a point on the road, but I still feel like this is one draw too many for us,” Larsen said.

“This is our 10th draw this season and this was a valuable away point nonetheless.

“In that poor run we had before we won against SuperSport United there were also valuable away draws that having been keeping us afloat.

“It is these points against teams like this [Chippa United] that ease the pressure when you win one or two in a row and allows us to leap up the table.

“Basically we will take the draw and be happy with it,” he said. 18