By VUYOKAZI NKANJENI
Chippa United coach Dan “Dance” Malesela says his team’s pre-season camp in KwaZulu-Natal has not only helped him to identify their strong points but also the areas they need to work on.
The Port Elizabeth-based team has been on a three week pre-season camp to prepare for the upcoming season which starts with a match against Free State Stars in Port Elizabeth on August 23.
Chippa have concluded their stay in KwaZulu-Natal and leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, where they will spend one more week before heading back home.
Malesela, who played for Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in his heyday, said he was not completely satisfied with his team but is adamant that the players will be sharp for their league opener.
“We are still struggling a bit in terms of understanding what is required.
“But there is still time to get them firing from the start because that is the biggest problem now,” Malesela said.
“We have had a few friendly games and we struggled to score and we conceded here and there.
“I am not too worried about the defenders, but we will get it right. We have got the personnel to do that.”
Malesela says the team’s readiness is at 55% saying there is a lot that still needs to be done in order to peak.
However, the former Cape Town All Stars coach said there were some areas he was very pleased with.
“I am happy with the central defender pairing, we have options. In actual fact I am happy with how the defence is looking, in particular.
“I am not happy of how we look from the middle up. If the league was to start tomorrow, we would be in big trouble,” he said.
“We will be ready for Free State Stars. I am one who understands how things operate.
“When we play these friendlies, I have never been one where my team will perform well within the friendly.
“Every team that I have coached have performed badly in friendlies, but when the league starts, for some reason, we do well.
“But we have time to fix those things and be a team that can really perform in the league.”
Chippa had an impressive run in the league last season, finishing in sixth place on the log thereby booked themselves a spot in the MTN 8.
The Chilli Boys will travel to Royal Bafokenge Stadium to face Platinum Stars on August 27 in the competition opener.
Malesela said, the competition will be an educational journey not just for the players but for the technical team as well.
“We really want to do something in the MTN8. I think its part of education for us. The longer we stay in the tournament the more our players gain more experience in terms of cup games.
“The longer also we as the technical team get educated as to how to change the players in league matches and cup games,” he said.
“So, it is an education for all of us. We really want to partake and see how we can balance the team. If we go to the finals it would be a big step into our education.”
Chippa coach looks to fine-tune his side for new PSL season
Chippa United coach Dan “Dance” Malesela says his team’s pre-season camp in KwaZulu-Natal has not only helped him to identify their strong points but also the areas they need to work on.
The Port Elizabeth-based team has been on a three week pre-season camp to prepare for the upcoming season which starts with a match against Free State Stars in Port Elizabeth on August 23.
Chippa have concluded their stay in KwaZulu-Natal and leave for Johannesburg tomorrow, where they will spend one more week before heading back home.
Malesela, who played for Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in his heyday, said he was not completely satisfied with his team but is adamant that the players will be sharp for their league opener.
“We are still struggling a bit in terms of understanding what is required.
“But there is still time to get them firing from the start because that is the biggest problem now,” Malesela said.
“We have had a few friendly games and we struggled to score and we conceded here and there.
“I am not too worried about the defenders, but we will get it right. We have got the personnel to do that.”
Malesela says the team’s readiness is at 55% saying there is a lot that still needs to be done in order to peak.
However, the former Cape Town All Stars coach said there were some areas he was very pleased with.
“I am happy with the central defender pairing, we have options. In actual fact I am happy with how the defence is looking, in particular.
“I am not happy of how we look from the middle up. If the league was to start tomorrow, we would be in big trouble,” he said.
“We will be ready for Free State Stars. I am one who understands how things operate.
“When we play these friendlies, I have never been one where my team will perform well within the friendly.
“Every team that I have coached have performed badly in friendlies, but when the league starts, for some reason, we do well.
“But we have time to fix those things and be a team that can really perform in the league.”
Chippa had an impressive run in the league last season, finishing in sixth place on the log thereby booked themselves a spot in the MTN 8.
The Chilli Boys will travel to Royal Bafokenge Stadium to face Platinum Stars on August 27 in the competition opener.
Malesela said, the competition will be an educational journey not just for the players but for the technical team as well.
“We really want to do something in the MTN8. I think its part of education for us. The longer we stay in the tournament the more our players gain more experience in terms of cup games.
“The longer also we as the technical team get educated as to how to change the players in league matches and cup games,” he said.
“So, it is an education for all of us. We really want to partake and see how we can balance the team. If we go to the finals it would be a big step into our education.”
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