Unheralded Chippa United have burst into the top eight in the PSL 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 PE 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,” said Malesela.
“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 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.”
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.
Next up for Chippa is a home match with Free State Stars in PE on Saturday.
Chippa make sharp turn into top eight
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 PE 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,” said Malesela.
“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 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.”
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.
Next up for Chippa is a home match with Free State Stars in PE on Saturday.
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