Chippa United enter tonight’s opening game of the Premier Soccer League season hoping their strikers hit their target from the outset.
The Chilli Boys host Free State Stars at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and coach Dan Malesela says there has been some concern in that area in pre-season.
“Truly speaking we are struggling at the top,” said Malesela. “We are struggling with our strikers. It’s not something that one cannot work on.
“But at this stage you would expect us to be at a level where you can feel content with what you have done or satisfied.
“It’s just those small things, maybe hasty decision-making or maybe the lack of control of the ball here and there.”
However, the former Orlando Pirates skipper says the problem may lie with him.
“I don’t know because I am this person who does not like mistakes. I do not want you to play football and make mistakes,” he said.
“Not that you won’t but I want you to be forced into an error. I do not want you to be making a mistake out of nowhere. Something must force you to make that mistake.
“Maybe I am being too pushy and too hard. I don’t know but I do not want to go to game as well saying ‘Oh please God let it be, let it happen . . . no.’”
So there will be pressure on the likes of Andile Mbenyane, Bafana striker Bongani Ndulula, David Zulu and Buyani Sali to find the net this evening.
In defence, Malesela will be without international goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi tonight but says he has able replacements.
Akpeyi was part of the Nigerian team which won Olympic bronze in Rio, at the weekend. The Super Eagles beat Honduras 3-2 in the third place match on Saturday.
“We have goalkeepers. We have three actually that are here Zama Dlamini, Veli Muthwa and Ayanda Masiko. So we have got capable replacements in that department,” said the coach.
“Yes, you probably would have liked some continuity particularly in a department that is as sensitive as goalkeeping.
“You would probably want Daniel to be here. But there are a few things that we have changed in our approach.
“He needs time also to come back and adjust to that. But I do not think that will be a challenge for us.”
The Port Elizabeth-based side will be looking to pick up from their sixth place finish from last season.
A good start against Stars tonight could give the team a boost going into the season.
In head-to-head stats, Chippa and the Bethlehem side have met in six league matches since the 2012-13 season.
The Chilli Boys only have claimed only two victories compared to Stars’ four.
Malesela said Chippa fans can expect to be entertained this season.
The coach says the reason he is in the business of football is to entertain people and he has also instilled the same belief in his players.
“I tell my players, there is somebody who has paid to watch us play and they need to be entertained,” said Malesela. “We will continue to try and soothe headaches that are coming into the stadium or problems that people carry everyday through displaying good talent.”
All in the hands of snipers
The Chilli Boys host Free State Stars at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and coach Dan Malesela says there has been some concern in that area in pre-season.
“Truly speaking we are struggling at the top,” said Malesela. “We are struggling with our strikers. It’s not something that one cannot work on.
“But at this stage you would expect us to be at a level where you can feel content with what you have done or satisfied.
“It’s just those small things, maybe hasty decision-making or maybe the lack of control of the ball here and there.”
However, the former Orlando Pirates skipper says the problem may lie with him.
“I don’t know because I am this person who does not like mistakes. I do not want you to play football and make mistakes,” he said.
“Not that you won’t but I want you to be forced into an error. I do not want you to be making a mistake out of nowhere. Something must force you to make that mistake.
“Maybe I am being too pushy and too hard. I don’t know but I do not want to go to game as well saying ‘Oh please God let it be, let it happen . . . no.’”
So there will be pressure on the likes of Andile Mbenyane, Bafana striker Bongani Ndulula, David Zulu and Buyani Sali to find the net this evening.
In defence, Malesela will be without international goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi tonight but says he has able replacements.
Akpeyi was part of the Nigerian team which won Olympic bronze in Rio, at the weekend. The Super Eagles beat Honduras 3-2 in the third place match on Saturday.
“We have goalkeepers. We have three actually that are here Zama Dlamini, Veli Muthwa and Ayanda Masiko. So we have got capable replacements in that department,” said the coach.
“Yes, you probably would have liked some continuity particularly in a department that is as sensitive as goalkeeping.
“You would probably want Daniel to be here. But there are a few things that we have changed in our approach.
“He needs time also to come back and adjust to that. But I do not think that will be a challenge for us.”
The Port Elizabeth-based side will be looking to pick up from their sixth place finish from last season.
A good start against Stars tonight could give the team a boost going into the season.
In head-to-head stats, Chippa and the Bethlehem side have met in six league matches since the 2012-13 season.
The Chilli Boys only have claimed only two victories compared to Stars’ four.
Malesela said Chippa fans can expect to be entertained this season.
The coach says the reason he is in the business of football is to entertain people and he has also instilled the same belief in his players.
“I tell my players, there is somebody who has paid to watch us play and they need to be entertained,” said Malesela. “We will continue to try and soothe headaches that are coming into the stadium or problems that people carry everyday through displaying good talent.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos