Lamontville Golden Arrows coach Clinton Larsen plans to keep the ball away from Chippa United in their Premier Soccer League clash at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane tonight (kickoff 8pm).
However, failing to starve the Chilli Boys of the ball will not be the end of the world for Larsen and his charges.
Just like they have been doing since coach Dan “Dance” Malesela took over in December 2015, Chippa have been dominating ball possession and playing attractive football.
Tonight’s game should not be an exception as the Port Elizabethbased team are expected to have the lion’s share of the ball possession.
Larsen told the Daily Dispatch that he had planned well for the game.
“We will try and let Chippa keep the ball in possessions they can’t hurt us. We know if they have possession in certain areas we can hurt them,” the former Orlando Pirates player said.
“Possession alone does not win games. I think that has been proven time and time again.
“When we played them our plan worked. We have planned for them well and if the players execute what we worked on in training, I think we can cause an upset and beat them as they are probably favourites playing at home.”
Chippa lost 1-0 to Arrows on October 15 last year so they will also be motivated by revenge.
Both sides go into the game coming from disappointing results last weekend. Chippa, who played with 10 men for 65 minutes lost 2-0 against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday while Arrows were beaten 1-0 by Free State Stars on Saturday.
Both sides will be eager to get back to winning ways. And if both sides are to finish in the top eight come end of the season, they will have to win as many matches as possible.
Chippa who are yet to lose at Sisa Dukashe will be aiming to maintain their impressive form at the venue by getting the better of the KwaZulu-Natal club.
Three points for Chippa will mean the teams swap positions on the log. The Chilli Boys are eighth with 20 points from 17 games while Abafana Bes’thende are seventh and have played a game more than the Port Elizabeth outfit.
But Larsen said they want to start playing consistently and consolidate their place in the top eight.
“We’ve been a bit inconsistent this season. We’ve made it clear that we want to finish in the top eight and I think these are the kind of games that we need to be winning,” he said.
On Wednesday, Chippa United mentor Malesela told the Daily Dispatch that his charges were ready for the game.
However, his side will have to make do without the services of prolific striker Rhulani Manzini, who before he was red-carded in their 2-0 loss to Celtic last weekend for head-butting Alfred Ndengane, had scored three goals in four matches.
Chippa will also be without Tshwarelo Bareng and the experienced Katlego Mashego upfront as they are both out with injuries.
Malesela and defender Justice Chabalala have both spoken about the importance of having the 12thman tonight and urged local fans to fill up Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
Now the game's on
However, failing to starve the Chilli Boys of the ball will not be the end of the world for Larsen and his charges.
Just like they have been doing since coach Dan “Dance” Malesela took over in December 2015, Chippa have been dominating ball possession and playing attractive football.
Tonight’s game should not be an exception as the Port Elizabethbased team are expected to have the lion’s share of the ball possession.
Larsen told the Daily Dispatch that he had planned well for the game.
“We will try and let Chippa keep the ball in possessions they can’t hurt us. We know if they have possession in certain areas we can hurt them,” the former Orlando Pirates player said.
“Possession alone does not win games. I think that has been proven time and time again.
“When we played them our plan worked. We have planned for them well and if the players execute what we worked on in training, I think we can cause an upset and beat them as they are probably favourites playing at home.”
Chippa lost 1-0 to Arrows on October 15 last year so they will also be motivated by revenge.
Both sides go into the game coming from disappointing results last weekend. Chippa, who played with 10 men for 65 minutes lost 2-0 against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday while Arrows were beaten 1-0 by Free State Stars on Saturday.
Both sides will be eager to get back to winning ways. And if both sides are to finish in the top eight come end of the season, they will have to win as many matches as possible.
Chippa who are yet to lose at Sisa Dukashe will be aiming to maintain their impressive form at the venue by getting the better of the KwaZulu-Natal club.
Three points for Chippa will mean the teams swap positions on the log. The Chilli Boys are eighth with 20 points from 17 games while Abafana Bes’thende are seventh and have played a game more than the Port Elizabeth outfit.
But Larsen said they want to start playing consistently and consolidate their place in the top eight.
“We’ve been a bit inconsistent this season. We’ve made it clear that we want to finish in the top eight and I think these are the kind of games that we need to be winning,” he said.
On Wednesday, Chippa United mentor Malesela told the Daily Dispatch that his charges were ready for the game.
However, his side will have to make do without the services of prolific striker Rhulani Manzini, who before he was red-carded in their 2-0 loss to Celtic last weekend for head-butting Alfred Ndengane, had scored three goals in four matches.
Chippa will also be without Tshwarelo Bareng and the experienced Katlego Mashego upfront as they are both out with injuries.
Malesela and defender Justice Chabalala have both spoken about the importance of having the 12thman tonight and urged local fans to fill up Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
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