Time running out for luckless Chippa

THOUGH Chippa United coach Ernst Middendorp is trying to put on a brave face, trouble could be looming for his club unless they end an alarming winless sequence.

Slowly but surely, Chippa are being sucked into a life or death relegation battle, and the German coach may have to take drastic steps.

The league table, which is the best medium with which to judge these things, shows Chippa are a mere four points off a relegation match as the season slowly draws to a close.

Another defeat against Kosta Papic’s Polokwane City at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium tomorrow evening would be disastrous for the Bay club.

Despite impending doom, Middendorp has understandably tried to calm fears that his team is heading for a possible drop.

He says no panic buttons are being pushed at the moment and adds that he saw plenty of positive things when his team lost to Ajax in Cape Town on Friday.

Middendorp feels the potential of the club will enable them to wriggle free from the tentacles of the dreaded relegation monster.

With survival in mind, the coach has laid down a specific target for his players to escape this unwanted problem.

With 10 matches to go, split into five home and five away, Middendorp wants his team to end on 32 points.

He believes this figure will ensure his team finishes above the other relegation candidates, who are also fighting a grim battle.

However, what must be worrying Bay fans, is the fact that Chippa have only managed to record one victory in their last 10 matches across all competitions.

Their confidence must also have been severely dented when they were bundled out of the Nedbank Cup by third-tier Natal United.

Victory over Papic’s men tomorrow night will be a massive step to retaining top flight status for the Bay.