‘Better rivals in Cape for Chippa’

CHIPPA United have cited the availability of quality opposition and comparable weather conditions as their reasons for using Cape Town as a training base in preparation for the upcoming Absa Premier Soccer League season.

The Chilli Boys will use Philippi Stadium, their former headquarters before the team relocated to Nelson Mandela Bay.

The new season starts early in August and Chippa will be hard at work preparing for a better run than last season when the team had to fight to avoid relegation. They did so by the skin of their teeth on goal difference.

Chippa’s chief operations of- ficer Lukhanyo Mzinzi said the decision to opt for the Cape was inspired by two main factors.

“Cape Town has similar weather conditions to Port Elizabeth and Philippi is our other base. We have a lease on the stadium for more than 30 years,” Mzinzi said.

“Also, there is one PSL and five National First Division teams there, so we can have endless friendly matches.

“We will come back to Port Elizabeth, maybe two weeks before our opening game against Kaizer Chiefs.”

Mzinzi said some players had returned from holiday and were busy with medical examinations.

Training would start on Sunday, he said. Chippa face a tough test to the start of their season in Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, followed by a trip to Soweto to face Orlando Pirates the next weekend.

Mzinzi was tight-lipped about the coach issue, but said the matter would soon be finalised.

Former Chippa coach Roger Sikhakhane is said to be the man to take on the hot seat at the club this season.

Asked if any players from the development ranks had been promoted to the senior side, Mzinzi said the new coach would make such decisions.

Meanwhile, suspended Chippa coach Ernst Middendorp is returning to his previous club, Maritzburg United, a source close to the club has confirmed.

However, the German coach yesterday dismissed any talk of amove, saying he still had a contract with Chippa United.