Unheralded Chippa United have burst into the top eight in the Premier Soccer League and coach Dan Malesela believes they are there to stay.
Sunday’s 1-0 victory away at Bloemfontein Celtic was reward for a gruelling travel schedule that saw the team make a seven-hour bus journey from Port Elizabeth to the Free State capital and only arrive home at 3am.
But far from disheartening the players‚ Malesela says the long travels had a galvanising effect‚ as evidenced in their battling display against Celtic when a late goal from forward Rhulani Manzini settled the fixture.
“The fitness of the players was a concern because they were sitting in one place for so long on the bus‚ but we made sure we did lots of stretches and gave them opportunities to recover‚” Malesela tells TMG Digital.
“At some stages of the match we looked like the home team‚ such was the positive way that we approached the game and I believe that‚ having put in such an effort to get there‚ the players were determined to get the three points.
“But it could have gone either way‚ Celtic had their chances.”
Malesela admits his delight at seeing his side in sixth position in the league and says their recent form has switched the focus of the club.
“When I arrived here [in December last year] the aim was survival only and not to be involved in another relegation scrap. But now with where we are‚ we wouldn’t want to finish outside the top eight. That would be really disappointing for us.
“As for where we will finish in the top eight‚ I cannot say‚ but just to be in the top half would be a big achievement.”
Malesela handed a debut to midfielder Zaphaniah Mbokoma against Celtic‚ a player signed from his former National First Division club Cape Town All Stars in late January.
“I like players who can eliminate opponents and reduce the number of defenders in front of you when you attack‚” he says of the 23-year-old.
“He can provide that individual moment of brilliance to get us behind teams.
“But he has only trained with us for a week and has some way to go. I am not looking for him to be a superstar‚ just help the team by creating more chances in games.”
Next up for Chippa is a home match with Free State Stars in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The Chilli Boyz also have strugglers University of Pretoria and Maritzburg United in their next four league games‚ along with a trip to unpredictable Ajax Cape Town.
Malesela: ‘Just being in the top half a big achievement for Chippa’
Unheralded Chippa United have burst into the top eight in the Premier Soccer League and coach Dan Malesela believes they are there to stay.
Sunday’s 1-0 victory away at Bloemfontein Celtic was reward for a gruelling travel schedule that saw the team make a seven-hour bus journey from Port Elizabeth to the Free State capital and only arrive home at 3am.
But far from disheartening the players‚ Malesela says the long travels had a galvanising effect‚ as evidenced in their battling display against Celtic when a late goal from forward Rhulani Manzini settled the fixture.
“The fitness of the players was a concern because they were sitting in one place for so long on the bus‚ but we made sure we did lots of stretches and gave them opportunities to recover‚” Malesela tells TMG Digital.
“At some stages of the match we looked like the home team‚ such was the positive way that we approached the game and I believe that‚ having put in such an effort to get there‚ the players were determined to get the three points.
“But it could have gone either way‚ Celtic had their chances.”
Malesela admits his delight at seeing his side in sixth position in the league and says their recent form has switched the focus of the club.
“When I arrived here [in December last year] the aim was survival only and not to be involved in another relegation scrap. But now with where we are‚ we wouldn’t want to finish outside the top eight. That would be really disappointing for us.
“As for where we will finish in the top eight‚ I cannot say‚ but just to be in the top half would be a big achievement.”
Malesela handed a debut to midfielder Zaphaniah Mbokoma against Celtic‚ a player signed from his former National First Division club Cape Town All Stars in late January.
“I like players who can eliminate opponents and reduce the number of defenders in front of you when you attack‚” he says of the 23-year-old.
“He can provide that individual moment of brilliance to get us behind teams.
“But he has only trained with us for a week and has some way to go. I am not looking for him to be a superstar‚ just help the team by creating more chances in games.”
Next up for Chippa is a home match with Free State Stars in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The Chilli Boyz also have strugglers University of Pretoria and Maritzburg United in their next four league games‚ along with a trip to unpredictable Ajax Cape Town.
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