Chippa United club chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi said Dan Malesela has changed the mind-set of his players and this has attributed to the team’s recent success in the Premier Soccer League.
Malesela stepped in as the club’s interim coach after Roger Sikhakhane was placed on “special leave” by club management due to alleged misconduct.
The former Orlando Pirates player has had an impressive record so far, having won three games of the four he has been in charge of.
The Eastern Cape-born chairman said Malesela has helped change the attitude of the players.
“He has taught them the priorities, in terms of what the players need to prioritise.
“He has also revived the careers of those players whose careers were almost finished – players such as (Joseph) Molangoane. People had forgotten about him.”
Mpengesi said he is confident his team will meet their target of finishing in the top-five bracket.
“We have two or three young players we are expecting to sign this week before the close of the window.
“Then we will be covered for the season.”
Malesela said the team’s positive results are due to hard training and the players accepting him as their coach.
“I think the training is different from what it used to be, obviously with a different person,” he said.
“It’s not just about the training but also players realising that every time we train, there is an objective.
“So it’s about finding solutions, training and accepting training and accepting coaches, because I said to them that the biggest thing is that you need to accept coaches as a player.
“Otherwise if you are reluctant to be coached, it doesn’t help when we go to matches because matches are technical and not everybody is equipped to be technically aware.”
The Chilli Boys are sixth on the log, with 22 points from 15 games.
Chippa’s next league fixture is against Mpumalanga Black Aces on Saturday at 8.15pm at Mbombela Stadium.
Dan’s the man for Chippa
Malesela stepped in as the club’s interim coach after Roger Sikhakhane was placed on “special leave” by club management due to alleged misconduct.
The former Orlando Pirates player has had an impressive record so far, having won three games of the four he has been in charge of.
The Eastern Cape-born chairman said Malesela has helped change the attitude of the players.
“He has taught them the priorities, in terms of what the players need to prioritise.
“He has also revived the careers of those players whose careers were almost finished – players such as (Joseph) Molangoane. People had forgotten about him.”
Mpengesi said he is confident his team will meet their target of finishing in the top-five bracket.
“We have two or three young players we are expecting to sign this week before the close of the window.
“Then we will be covered for the season.”
Malesela said the team’s positive results are due to hard training and the players accepting him as their coach.
“I think the training is different from what it used to be, obviously with a different person,” he said.
“It’s not just about the training but also players realising that every time we train, there is an objective.
“So it’s about finding solutions, training and accepting training and accepting coaches, because I said to them that the biggest thing is that you need to accept coaches as a player.
“Otherwise if you are reluctant to be coached, it doesn’t help when we go to matches because matches are technical and not everybody is equipped to be technically aware.”
The Chilli Boys are sixth on the log, with 22 points from 15 games.
Chippa’s next league fixture is against Mpumalanga Black Aces on Saturday at 8.15pm at Mbombela Stadium.
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