Chilli Boys focus on job
Heric undaunted by relegation battles
THE Eastern Cape’s lone club in the PSL, Chippa United, are proving to be kingmakers in the league with their matches having far-reaching consequences for other teams in the dreaded relegation zone.
Today, Chippa may determine whether Supersport United stay on in the league or not, when the teams clash at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
A Chippa victory over SuperSport will place the Pretoria outfit in the precarious position of having to secure their PSL stay via taxing play-offs.
A fortnight ago Chippa also played their hand in the relegation battle, in their 1-1 draw with Ajax Cape Town, that virtually boosted the Cape Town outfit’s hopes of staying in the top-flight.
Ajax and SuperSport United are fighting for survival, with Platinum Stars already condemned to life in the National First Division next season.
Chippa coach Vladislav Heric, whose mandate is to ensure the province does not lose its only team playing in the country’s elite league, is aware of the role his side has suddenly assumed in determining the future of certain sides in the PSL at the end of the season.
“We are not thinking about how our matches are influencing others,” he said.
“We have our goals to chase and that is to try to get to the top-eight.”
Not only are Chippa becoming potential kingmakers in the relegation dogfight but they have also proven to be a determining factor in the future careers of some coaches.
“It was the Port Elizabeth-based outfit that increased the pressure on Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Steve Komphela when it hammered Amakhosi 3-0 in their own backyard three weeks ago.
The outcome sparked a pitch invasion by Chiefs supporters, with the club since being fined for that transgression.
Komphela, already walking on thin ice after that loss, eventually quit after a 2-0 defeat to Free State Stars in a Nedbank Cup semifinal fixture last weekend.
Said Heric: “Look, it is not our intention to make life difficult for other clubs We could not celebrate our win over Chiefs because of the violence that followed. To see such scenes in our football is not right but again we did what were expected to do for our own good.”
Heric tried to tone down perceptions that his club have been indirectly responsible for the drama around the relegation dogfight. “All the drama that has erupted as a result of our matches are simply coincidental,” he said.
Chippa’s influence in that regard might continue today in their clash with SuperSport United. A good omen for them is that Sisa Dukashe stadium has proven to be their happy hunting ground.
The team is banking on the big crowd it always attracts to its games in Mdantsane.
“We are banking on our 12th player which is the crowd because East London is always good to us,” said Heric.
“We do not get a similar response in Port Elizabeth but every time we come here we are warmly welcomed.”
Since the Serb took over the reins at Chippa from Teboho Moloi he has collected eight points out of a possible 15.
But he is refusing to take credit for what he has been able to achieve at the club.
“I do not look at those statistics but I am glad that other people are looking.”
Chippa have an injury-free squad boosted by the return of attacking midfielder Mxolisi Macupha.