Football veteran and television soccer analyst Mike “Sporo” Mangena said Chippa United boss and chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi has done a great job by hiring Dan “Dance” Malesela.Mangena further said without any doubt the Chilli Boys’ will finish in the top eight this season.
Malesela has had an impressive record at the PE-based PSL club so far.
The former Cape Town All Stars mentor has lost only three games and won five from the eight league matches he has been in charge of.
The Chilli Boys aim to end the league in the top eight this season. They are on the right track towards achieving that target as they are sixth on the log with 28 points from 19 games.
Now that Roger Sikhakhane has parted ways with the team on Tuesday, Mpengesi said Malesela is the perfect person to head his club.
“You can see by the type of football that they play right now that it is not easy to beat Chippa United,” said Mangena. “Chippa will finish in the top eight. I can put my head on the block.
“As soon as those players understand exactly what the coach wants from them I am telling you Chippa is going to rise. As a soccer player as soon as you enjoy what you are doing the rest will fall into place.
“If there is one thing that Chippa Mpengesi did (right) was to appoint Dan Malesela and I just hope he will now relax because he’s been one soccer boss that has been very edgy.
“When things go wrong he (Mpengesi) would want a solution and he used to think the best solution was to fire a coach.
“I think he has learned now, he is stabilised and he knows that he needs to give him (Malesela) a chance.”
The former Kaizer Chiefs player is confident that Chippa will win trophies under Malesela.
“If Dance can stay there (at Chippa) for three years I can assure you that Chippa will win one of the trophies in this country.
“I have played with Dan and even during his playing days Dances used to play that kind of football.
“He was not the type of defender that used to balloon the ball upfront. He would kill it and say ‘Guys let’s start building up from the back’. You can see that philosophy there (at Chippa),” said Mangena.
Before coming to the Eastern Cape Dan was in charge of Stars, the National First Division side based in Cape Town. He was released by the club due to poor results. When he left Stars they were on top of the NFD table. Now they are sixth on the log.
Mangena said Stars must be kicking themselves now for releasing Malesela. “What I don’t understand, here is a team that was sitting on top of the log. There is a saying that says: ‘Don’t fix it if it’s not broken’.
“Why tamper and want to change things when things are going well. Where is that team now? They have moved from the top spot and they have dropped. You can see that they won’t be even in the playoffs come end of the season,” said Mangena.
Mangena suggests ‘Dance’ is right in step for Chilli Boys
Mangena further said without any doubt the Chilli Boys’ will finish in the top eight this season.
Malesela has had an impressive record at the PE-based PSL club so far.
The former Cape Town All Stars mentor has lost only three games and won five from the eight league matches he has been in charge of.
The Chilli Boys aim to end the league in the top eight this season. They are on the right track towards achieving that target as they are sixth on the log with 28 points from 19 games.
Now that Roger Sikhakhane has parted ways with the team on Tuesday, Mpengesi said Malesela is the perfect person to head his club.
“You can see by the type of football that they play right now that it is not easy to beat Chippa United,” said Mangena. “Chippa will finish in the top eight. I can put my head on the block.
“As soon as those players understand exactly what the coach wants from them I am telling you Chippa is going to rise. As a soccer player as soon as you enjoy what you are doing the rest will fall into place.
“If there is one thing that Chippa Mpengesi did (right) was to appoint Dan Malesela and I just hope he will now relax because he’s been one soccer boss that has been very edgy.
“When things go wrong he (Mpengesi) would want a solution and he used to think the best solution was to fire a coach.
“I think he has learned now, he is stabilised and he knows that he needs to give him (Malesela) a chance.”
The former Kaizer Chiefs player is confident that Chippa will win trophies under Malesela.
“If Dance can stay there (at Chippa) for three years I can assure you that Chippa will win one of the trophies in this country.
“I have played with Dan and even during his playing days Dances used to play that kind of football.
“He was not the type of defender that used to balloon the ball upfront. He would kill it and say ‘Guys let’s start building up from the back’. You can see that philosophy there (at Chippa),” said Mangena.
Before coming to the Eastern Cape Dan was in charge of Stars, the National First Division side based in Cape Town. He was released by the club due to poor results. When he left Stars they were on top of the NFD table. Now they are sixth on the log.
Mangena said Stars must be kicking themselves now for releasing Malesela. “What I don’t understand, here is a team that was sitting on top of the log. There is a saying that says: ‘Don’t fix it if it’s not broken’.
“Why tamper and want to change things when things are going well. Where is that team now? They have moved from the top spot and they have dropped. You can see that they won’t be even in the playoffs come end of the season,” said Mangena.
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