Chippa’s caretaker coach weighs in:

Fate of Chilli Boys’ PSL campaign comes down to last game of season

CARETAKER coach Velile “Eddie” Dyaloyi says Chippa United will launch a fullon assault when they clash with Kaizer Chiefs at the NMB Stadium tomorrow (3pm). The fate of the Chilli Boys’ PSL campaign has come down to the last game of the season – one point via a draw will be enough to secure safety.

The issue is that they need to secure that one point against this season’s champions, Amakhosi, who will want to finish their league-winning season on a high before being presented with the trophy.

But no problem, Dyaloyi said. While others joke and suggest that he should park the bus and play eight defenders, Dyaloyi believes otherwise.

“For me, one thing that will help the team is to go out and score against Kaizer Chiefs.

“I know we need one point, but we cannot just go out and defend. We need to go out and attack.”

“Going into Saturday’s game, we have to prepare ourselves better and better if we want to win or perhaps secure a draw,” Dyaloyi said.

A loss against Chiefs could be enough to avoid the threat of relegation if AmaZulu lose to Maritzburg.

If AmaZulu win, Chippa will have to draw to avoid the promotion-relegation playoffs against the second- and third-placed teams in the National First Division.

Last-placed Moroka Swallows are doomed by negative goal difference.

Chippa are in 14th place on the log with 30 points from 29 games. They managed a vital point while playing to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night against Mpumalanga Black Aces at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium.

A win for Chippa against Aces could have secured them a place in the PSL next season, taking into account Wednesday night’s other results.

Dyaloyi said his side were unlucky not to have beaten Aces: “We played well and could have won that game with the chances we had. Playing to a draw away from home was a massive advantage.”

Dyaloyi took over the reins from Mich d’Avray, who was axed by Chippa chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi after the team lost 2-0 to Free State Stars at the weekend.

The former Bay United and Blackburn Rovers coach has confirmed that he will again be on the bench as Chippa’s caretaker coach on Saturday.

“I am registered with the club’s first team now, which means I must finishing the remaining games,” he said.

Dyaloyi said they had achieved their first step by not being automatically relegated. The next step was to stay in the PSL.

“We are safe from [automatic relegation]. Now we need to get out of the playoffs.”