Heric puts his survival on Top 8 finish

CHIPPA United coach Vladislav Heric will be hoping that a top eight finish in the Premier Soccer League will secure his stay at the Port Elizabethbased soccer side for next season.

Chippa play away to Polokwane City in a must-win last fixture of the season at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Heric joined the team taking over from coach Teboho Moloi with only seven matches remaining in the season and at a time when Chippa were targets for relegation.

However, the former Bay United coach has been able to lift the Chilli Boys from 13th position on the log to eighth.

A win against The Rise and Shine at the weekend will seal their top eight finish.

From the six matches he has been in charge since taking over, Heric has secured two wins with the most noticeable one being the 3-0 thumping of Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs. There were also three draws and only one league defeat.

Asked about his future at the club, the coach said as far as he is aware he’ll still be at the helm next season.

“I have a one-year contract with the team, but we’ll never know. In years that I have been a coach in the country anything can happen, people can change their minds.

“But, as it is now I am still the coach of Chippa United for the last game and for next season,” said Heric.

The coach said a top eight finish will be more or less what was expected of him when he took over.

“When I took over I had a mandate to save the club, the club was number 13 on the log and we were three points far from promotional playoffs and escaping relegation.

“After some positive results we set another mandate which was to get into the top eight.”

Chippa are faced with a crucial encounter against a Polokwane City team who are fighting to avoid the gruelling promotion playoffs and a possible relegation.

The coach said beating Polokwane at home will be a big task for them.

“We have to be prepared for a war,” said Heric.