Coach wiser after last season’s mistakes

Chippa United coach Dan Malesela (left) says the club have learned from the mistakes they made last season, and are ready to turn things around in the upcoming Absa Premiership campaign.

The Chilli Boys had a fair start in the previous campaign, reaching their first domestic cup semifinal in the MTN8, but as the season progressed, found themselves flirting with relegation – they ended up finishing just a point above bottom side Highlands Park, surviving a place in the promotion/ relegation play-offs only on goal difference.

“We did a disservice to ourselves last season, but at least we now know and in retrospect, it is a good thing that it happened, otherwise maybe we would’ve been a bit cocky,” Malesela said.

The Mamelodi Sundowns legend revealed his side are set to unveil some of their new signings in a press conference, but he is uncertain on whether there will be a new assistant coach following the departure of Teboho Moloi after just over a month in the post.

Goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo, returning defender James Okwuosa and midfielders Kurt Lentjies and Mark Mayambela are among a host of signings Chippa have made.

“Dance”, meanwhile, insisted hat the side can cope with the departure of his former captain Thamsanqa Sangweni to Orlando Pirates.

Chippa face Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier’s Cup tomorrow in Mdantsane.