Chilli Boys extend unbeaten streak to five
Chippa United coach Clinton Larsen knew his team had to throw the first punch if they were to overcome Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The Chilli Boys successfully booked themselves a spot in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals by beating TTM 2-0.
Goals from Mark Mayambela and Kurt Lentjies not only saw the Port Elizabeth professional side proceed to the next stage but also extend their unbeaten run to five matches.
Larsen, who turned 48 on Sunday, said they had anticipated a tough match against TTM but knew they had to strike early to dismantle the Limpopo side.
“Before the game, we spoke about it being a difficult one and treating the opponents with respect. I think we did that,” Larsen said.
“We knew it was not going to be easy, based on what we saw of them against Polokwane City [in the last-32]. We knew they were a good outfit, with some good attacking players but we knew we would expose their defensive deficiencies.
“Something else we spoke about before the game was the fact that if we got the first goal, this team would lose their shape and their discipline and we could expose them as a result.
“That is exactly what hap- pened, but the most disappointing part was after getting the first goal we had so many opportunities to go two-, three- and four-nil up.
“That is the ruthlessness that we are looking for as a team, especially when you are on top of a side.”
Larsen said he was disappointed to see his troops fall into their opponents’ trap at times of making them play at their level.
“I keep saying we are a work in progress. We are five games unbeaten now and the team is starting to believe we can win matches. The confidence is growing within the group. But we still have a long way to go.”
Larsen, who has a small squad, said it would be wise to use his players sparingly in the next games and spread the workload throughout so that players would not burn out.
He said it was important that players such as Lerato Manzini, William Twala, Daine Klate, Mayambela, Ruzaigh Gamildien and many others who had not played much were given the opportunity to impress for the team.
“It’s a bit of pressure on them because the other boys have been doing very well but as a professional that is what you have to do. You have to deliver when you are called upon.
“I am confident that when we do call upon them they will give us the performances that we are looking for.”
Chippa’s next fixture will be an Absa Premiership match, at home, against Golden Arrows on Friday.