Chippa United coach Dan “Dance” Malesela is looking to end the club’s historically poor run in the Nedbank Cup when the team play Baroka at East London’s Buffalo City Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Chilli Boys have never progressed past the last 32 stage of the tournament in four previous attempts.
Last season, the PE-based club were knocked out of the competition on penalties by ABC Motsepe side Natal United after the game ended in a goalless draw.
Malesela is adamant the team will rectify the past.
“It’s another myth to be broken and hopefully we will break it,” he said.
“Looking at where they (Baroka) are on the log. If the league would be stopped right now they are promoted.
“Then we will be basically be playing a PSL team. They are topping everybody in that stream.
“They are a team that you have to really push hard to try and knockout.”
Malesela said his aim was for the club is to go all the way and win the Nedbank Cup.
“We would like to finish anywhere we deserve to finish. If it’s the final or winning the cup it’s okay.
“I am one who says if we are beaten by a team and we are beaten very well by somebody who is stronger than us, I do not complain.
“But if we are beaten by a team that I felt ‘Wow, how did this happen?’, then I’m satisfied,” he said. “One wants to have history with the club and have a recognisable history.
“It wouldn’t be history if we finish in the top eight. Yes, it would be the first but it’s little history.
“If you finish in the semi-finals of the Nedbank, it’s not history per say, it’s something that people will forget. But winning it will be something that people will remember every time.
“If we can win the cup, which is possible, it’s fine. We will go for that.
“I don’t think playing the first round and getting out of the first round is much of a lesson.
“You have to go through other stages so that you know how to prepare yourself and you know what to do for these matches.”
The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns defender said his focus was not only on the league.
“We are forcing both in the league and the tournament we’ll try and get as far as we can.
“This is a package for me and it’s a package for the players so we will give it our best shot,” said Malesela.
The Chilli Boys will play without Diamond Thopola, who pulled a hamstring in their league game against Ajax Cape Town and on-loan striker David Zulu, who has a knee injury.
Chippa are wary of Cup pitfalls against Baroka
The Chilli Boys have never progressed past the last 32 stage of the tournament in four previous attempts.
Last season, the PE-based club were knocked out of the competition on penalties by ABC Motsepe side Natal United after the game ended in a goalless draw.
Malesela is adamant the team will rectify the past.
“It’s another myth to be broken and hopefully we will break it,” he said.
“Looking at where they (Baroka) are on the log. If the league would be stopped right now they are promoted.
“Then we will be basically be playing a PSL team. They are topping everybody in that stream.
“They are a team that you have to really push hard to try and knockout.”
Malesela said his aim was for the club is to go all the way and win the Nedbank Cup.
“We would like to finish anywhere we deserve to finish. If it’s the final or winning the cup it’s okay.
“I am one who says if we are beaten by a team and we are beaten very well by somebody who is stronger than us, I do not complain.
“But if we are beaten by a team that I felt ‘Wow, how did this happen?’, then I’m satisfied,” he said. “One wants to have history with the club and have a recognisable history.
“It wouldn’t be history if we finish in the top eight. Yes, it would be the first but it’s little history.
“If you finish in the semi-finals of the Nedbank, it’s not history per say, it’s something that people will forget. But winning it will be something that people will remember every time.
“If we can win the cup, which is possible, it’s fine. We will go for that.
“I don’t think playing the first round and getting out of the first round is much of a lesson.
“You have to go through other stages so that you know how to prepare yourself and you know what to do for these matches.”
The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns defender said his focus was not only on the league.
“We are forcing both in the league and the tournament we’ll try and get as far as we can.
“This is a package for me and it’s a package for the players so we will give it our best shot,” said Malesela.
The Chilli Boys will play without Diamond Thopola, who pulled a hamstring in their league game against Ajax Cape Town and on-loan striker David Zulu, who has a knee injury.
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