Chippa coach rues missed chance to win
Draw against 10-man TTM is loss – Seema
Chippa United coach Lehlohonolo Seema was left thinking about what could have been after his team dropped valuable points in their DStv Premiership fixture against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.
The Chilli Boys disappointed as they laboured to a 1-1 draw against 10-man TTM in a game Seema thought he would collect a full haul from.
“We dropped two points,” Seema said. “It never looked like we were going to lose this game. But that is how the game of football is. I think we did not push much, especially in the first half. I think we could have done better.
“As a young teamwe should be learning very fast that we are in a competition. It’s two points lost.”
Seema said it would take some time for them to find their feet, having basically assembled a new team this season after the exodus of 15 players, and with most of the new players making their debuts in the PSL.
“We have to be patient with these boys. The team will come right,” the coach said.
The Port Elizabeth-based sidewent into thegamehaving been dealt a huge blow with the sale of captain and goalkeeper Veli Mothwa on Friday.
Chippa’s second-choice goalkeeper, Mlungisi Mazibuko, took over between the posts and Augustin Kwem claimed the captain’s armband.
Asked if Mothwa’s sudden departure disrupted his planning going into Sunday’s match, Seema replied: “No, we had a goalkeeper in the goals and we played. So no, I don’t think so.”
TTM head coach Joel Masutha said the point away from home was well-deserved.
“It was a very tough game,” Masutha said.
“When I saw the lineup of Chippa I knewitwas based on speed.
“They came and harassed us – we were very slow coming out the blocks. I think that gave Chippa confidence that they could get something. But the most worrying part is how we conceded the goal.
“We have been working and pushing these guys to play to the whistle.”