Chippa United captain James Okwuosa said the team would not be distracted by the “suspension” of their coach Roger Sikhakhane.
The strapping defender said the side’s focus was fixed on the task at hand – gaining three points when they meet Bloemfontein Celtic in a PSL fixture at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 8pm).
Sikhakhane was placed on “special leave” by Chippa management last week.
The coach was accused of smelling of alcohol while on the sideline against Mthatha Bucks in the inaugural Nelson Mandela Commemoration Cup.
The 40-year-old coach’s future is still unclear with an inquiry in process.
Okwuosa said the players had handled the issue like professionals.
“You just have to take it. You don’t have to be emotional about it. Everybody has their little testimony to give whenever something like this comes up,” he said.
“We have worked with him , he is a good person and a good coach but we don’t have to mourn over the issues of Sikhakhane and all of those things that are going on in the office.
“It is up to us to do our duty and carry on from where we stopped.”
The Nigerian said the players had been adapting well to the style of play of interim coach Dan Malesela.
“In football everyone has their own way of coaching and it is up to us to adapt to it,” he said.
“I think that we are complying with his tactics that he is trying to employ on the team. I think it has been working well for the team.”
He said the team had put long hours into training and matters were beginning to look positive.
He added that they would love to win their last game before the Christmas break.
“With the mood of the team now I think everyone is highly motivated. We know what is at stake.
“The game against Bloemfontein Celtic is going to be a crucial game. For us it is a must-win game.
“It’s something that we just need to do. We have to grab those three points because lately we have not been doing well.
“What the coach is trying to employ now is positive thinking and to try and hold the ball more. The more you keep the ball the more you will have an advantage over your opponents.
“I think that will help us in our game against Bloemfontein.”
Okwuosa said he was pleased with the fact that the coach was touching on every aspect of the game.
“He is trying to see that we defend well. We have been conceding goals, which is not good for the team.
“The coach is trying to construct a good shape in the defensive part. He is also trying to make sure that the attackers score more goals.
“Every session that we do, every day we concentrate on scoring goals.”
Chilli Boys focus on taking Celtic’s scalp
The strapping defender said the side’s focus was fixed on the task at hand – gaining three points when they meet Bloemfontein Celtic in a PSL fixture at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 8pm).
Sikhakhane was placed on “special leave” by Chippa management last week.
The coach was accused of smelling of alcohol while on the sideline against Mthatha Bucks in the inaugural Nelson Mandela Commemoration Cup.
The 40-year-old coach’s future is still unclear with an inquiry in process.
Okwuosa said the players had handled the issue like professionals.
“You just have to take it. You don’t have to be emotional about it. Everybody has their little testimony to give whenever something like this comes up,” he said.
“We have worked with him , he is a good person and a good coach but we don’t have to mourn over the issues of Sikhakhane and all of those things that are going on in the office.
“It is up to us to do our duty and carry on from where we stopped.”
The Nigerian said the players had been adapting well to the style of play of interim coach Dan Malesela.
“In football everyone has their own way of coaching and it is up to us to adapt to it,” he said.
“I think that we are complying with his tactics that he is trying to employ on the team. I think it has been working well for the team.”
He said the team had put long hours into training and matters were beginning to look positive.
He added that they would love to win their last game before the Christmas break.
“With the mood of the team now I think everyone is highly motivated. We know what is at stake.
“The game against Bloemfontein Celtic is going to be a crucial game. For us it is a must-win game.
“It’s something that we just need to do. We have to grab those three points because lately we have not been doing well.
“What the coach is trying to employ now is positive thinking and to try and hold the ball more. The more you keep the ball the more you will have an advantage over your opponents.
“I think that will help us in our game against Bloemfontein.”
Okwuosa said he was pleased with the fact that the coach was touching on every aspect of the game.
“He is trying to see that we defend well. We have been conceding goals, which is not good for the team.
“The coach is trying to construct a good shape in the defensive part. He is also trying to make sure that the attackers score more goals.
“Every session that we do, every day we concentrate on scoring goals.”
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