Chilli Boys coach Mapeza running out of time after another defeat

Pressure appears to be mounting on Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza after his team suffered yet another defeat in the Absa Premiership at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Port Elizabeth-based side went down 2-0 to Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs despite producing another fearless performance against the log leaders. Chippa are still bottom on the log, with only four points from 10 matches.

Despite the club’s precarious situation, Mapeza is confident the results will come, saying it is just a matter of time.

But time is not on his side: Chippa chair Siviwe Mpengesi is results-driven and impatient and does not hesitate to axe coaches when performances are not forthcoming.

When asked if he was under pressure, the Zimbabwean coach said: “No. You know, in this industry there will be a day you will resign or a day when you will be sacked as a coach.

“Top coaches in the world have been sacked.

“I am not saying I am one of the top coaches, but I am just giving an example.

“We have guys like José Mourinho, Carlos Queiroz who have been sacked.

“We have one of my idols Fabio Capello, he was sacked from Real Madrid after winning the championship.”

Mapeza has just one win under his belt in the four matches he has been in charge since taking over from axed Clinton Larsen in October.

The victory came when Chippa beat Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in the Telkom Knockout Cup.

But a league win eludes the Chilli Boys.

“I knew when I came here [about the club’s reputation] but I just wanted to get the feel of this environment and if tomorrow the owner of the club says, ‘Look, coach you have failed’, I will take my stuff and go home with my head up high.

“At least I have shown people a little bit of myself so I am not going to leave this place with my head down.

“No, I will leave with my head up, go back to Zimbabwe, take a rest and maybe I might find another opportunity again somewhere.

“As a coach we are always on the move.”

On Wednesday, the Chilli Boys gave yet another wholehearted performance against Chiefs. But it was not enough.

Chippa held the Glamour Boys to 0-0 at halftime but Mapeza was forced into making urgent changes in the second half after three of his key players, Frederic Nsabiyumva, Elvis Moyo and Boikanyo Komane, were injured. The alterations affected the Chilli Boys’ rhythm, giving Chiefs midfielder Dumsani Zuma the opportunity to score a brace.

Chippa had multiple chances to score, but luck was not on their side.

“It was a good game of football.

“My boys played very well despite the three injuries that we had in the first half, but I am very happy there are so many positives to take from the game. Since I have been here we have seen some improvements in how we are playing, in our defending and attack,” Mapeza said.

“We created some good chances in the first half and if we had managed to bury those chances, then it would have been a different story.

“I am someone who keeps believing.

“I know it [a win] will happen,” he said.