Chippa United’s Absa Premiership clash with Ajax Cape Town on Sunday will mark the homecoming of assistant coach Mbuyiselo Sambu.
The 32-year-old said he was thrilled to finally return to “East London my football home” where he cut his professional football teeth as a player.
Sambu, a former Bush Bucks player who signed with Imbabala in 2002, just after they moved from Mthatha to East London, now returns to the city wearing a different cap.
The Peddie-born former defender, with 13-years top-flight experience, played most of his soccer in East London before making it to the big stage.
In the amateur ranks, he featured in the colours of Mdantsane side Aces United where he was spotted by Bush Bucks before moving to play for Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and then ended his playing career at Chippa.
“ It feels good and exciting man that 10 years later I return to East London where I had the best memories of my playing days.” said Sambu.
“My best memories about Buffalo City Stadium is the overwhelming support we used to get from fans while at Bush Bucks and I expect that to be the case this time around too for I know people there are passionate about the game.”
Sambu said the spirit was high at the Chippa camp ahead of the Ajax encounter, adding that the 12th man – spectators – would play a crucial role in steering the home side to victory.
According to Sambu, it would be of utmost importance that his side keep to their style of play and not try to match the different style their opponents.
He said Chippa would stick to their passing football and keep ball possession at all times for the Cape side to do the chasing.
The Chilli Boys, however, have a problem in defence as they currently have the second worst defensive record in the league after leaking 23 goals from 14 games.
Sambu said their defensive woes were being addressed and that team work would be key in this regard.
“The spirit is high in the camp and our only concern is that we are not familiar with the Buffalo City Stadium pitch but so is Ajax,” explained the assistant coach .
“Our focus though is on collecting maximum points, especially this being our home game.”
The Chilli Boys will be arriving in the city this afternoon to be welcomed by the Buffalo City Metro executive mayor Alfred Mtsi.
As for the state of readiness of the stadium, during a Dispatch visit to the venue yesterday, maintenance workers were hard at work doing final touch ups.
Among other things, the workers were fixing spaces left vacant by missing chairs on the southern stand while lines were also being done on the pitch that promises to be in perfect state than it was some two months ago.
Chilli Boys assistant coach back to his roots
The 32-year-old said he was thrilled to finally return to “East London my football home” where he cut his professional football teeth as a player.
Sambu, a former Bush Bucks player who signed with Imbabala in 2002, just after they moved from Mthatha to East London, now returns to the city wearing a different cap.
The Peddie-born former defender, with 13-years top-flight experience, played most of his soccer in East London before making it to the big stage.
In the amateur ranks, he featured in the colours of Mdantsane side Aces United where he was spotted by Bush Bucks before moving to play for Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and then ended his playing career at Chippa.
“ It feels good and exciting man that 10 years later I return to East London where I had the best memories of my playing days.” said Sambu.
“My best memories about Buffalo City Stadium is the overwhelming support we used to get from fans while at Bush Bucks and I expect that to be the case this time around too for I know people there are passionate about the game.”
Sambu said the spirit was high at the Chippa camp ahead of the Ajax encounter, adding that the 12th man – spectators – would play a crucial role in steering the home side to victory.
According to Sambu, it would be of utmost importance that his side keep to their style of play and not try to match the different style their opponents.
He said Chippa would stick to their passing football and keep ball possession at all times for the Cape side to do the chasing.
The Chilli Boys, however, have a problem in defence as they currently have the second worst defensive record in the league after leaking 23 goals from 14 games.
Sambu said their defensive woes were being addressed and that team work would be key in this regard.
“The spirit is high in the camp and our only concern is that we are not familiar with the Buffalo City Stadium pitch but so is Ajax,” explained the assistant coach .
“Our focus though is on collecting maximum points, especially this being our home game.”
The Chilli Boys will be arriving in the city this afternoon to be welcomed by the Buffalo City Metro executive mayor Alfred Mtsi.
As for the state of readiness of the stadium, during a Dispatch visit to the venue yesterday, maintenance workers were hard at work doing final touch ups.
Among other things, the workers were fixing spaces left vacant by missing chairs on the southern stand while lines were also being done on the pitch that promises to be in perfect state than it was some two months ago.
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