Chippa United will be without coach Dan “Dance” Malesela for their Premier Soccer League game against Bidvest Wits at Sisa Dukashe Stadium tonight (kick-off 7.30pm).
The animated coach is recovering in a Port Elizabeth hospital after he was admitted with a suspected heart condition on Sunday.
Club chairman Chippa Mpengesi confirmed that Malesela would not be on the bench tonight.
“I spoke to him and he told me about the pain but after an hour, I heard that his condition became serious and was taken to hospital.
“I think it’s something to do with his heart but I’m not sure, but it’s got to do with a heart condition,” he said, wishing the tactician a speedy recovery.
Chippa spokesman Luthando Zibeko and chief operating officer Lukhanyo Mzinzi visited Malesela in hospital yesterday.
Zibeko said doctors were still conducting test on Malesela to find out the problem.
“The coach is strong. He was still making jokes and smiling. What’s important for us is that the coach is recovering well in hospital,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chippa have failed to win in their last five Premier Soccer League outings, something that striker Rhulani Manzini says must change tonight.
While Chippa are eyeing a top eight position, the rampant Wits will go to the top of the standings with 40 points should they beat Malesela’s charges.
Out of a possible 15 points, from their last five games, Chippa picked up only three after drawing with Mamelodi Sundowns (twice) and Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Manzini said they have just been unlucky in not turning their beautiful football into points.
Indeed, the Port Elizabeth-based side has been one of the must-watch teams this season with their dominant and entertaining carpet football.
Manzini admitted that not winning was putting them under pressure as they aim to finish in the top eight.
“The teams behind us are also winning so we need the points. We have to go there, work very hard and get the three points because one point will not be enough,” he said.
But easier said than done as the free-scoring Wits have been in fine form this season in their quest to make history and win the club’s first PSL title.
The hosts will have to be on top of their game if they are to be the fourth team to get the better of Gavin Hunt’s men.
Second-placed Wits have been absolutely ruthless in their last five games, scoring an impressive 15 goals while only conceding four in their four victories and a loss.
Manzini said they were aware that Wits are a quality side.
“But Chippa is also a very good team. We have just been unlucky, but we’ll push very hard. We respect Wits but we won’t show them any respect on the pitch.
“We’ll have to start winning because it’s not good when you come back next season and you’re not in the top eight while other teams are playing.
“That’s why we’ll push very hard and try to win and do it for the fans and the coach as well since we have a lot of support in East London,” he said.
The top-flight-starved fans are expected to fill the stadium once again as they have done since Chippa decided to play some of their home games in Mdantsane this season.
The Chilli Boys are still unbeaten at Sisa, their home away from home.
They beat Highlands Park in December, drew with Sundowns and Arrows last month.
As a result of their single win this year, Chippa are languishing in 11th spot with 21 points from 19 games.
Should they put Wits to the sword, they could move back into the top eight – depending on the results of the other games tonight.
Manzini is aware that beating Wits will not be a walk in the park.
“They have quality players so we have to be cautious because they’re coming here to fight. But we’re ready for them. We’ll try our best to win so our supporters must not give up on us and continue supporting us,” he said.
Chippa face Wits without wily ‘Dance’
The animated coach is recovering in a Port Elizabeth hospital after he was admitted with a suspected heart condition on Sunday.
Club chairman Chippa Mpengesi confirmed that Malesela would not be on the bench tonight.
“I spoke to him and he told me about the pain but after an hour, I heard that his condition became serious and was taken to hospital.
“I think it’s something to do with his heart but I’m not sure, but it’s got to do with a heart condition,” he said, wishing the tactician a speedy recovery.
Chippa spokesman Luthando Zibeko and chief operating officer Lukhanyo Mzinzi visited Malesela in hospital yesterday.
Zibeko said doctors were still conducting test on Malesela to find out the problem.
“The coach is strong. He was still making jokes and smiling. What’s important for us is that the coach is recovering well in hospital,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chippa have failed to win in their last five Premier Soccer League outings, something that striker Rhulani Manzini says must change tonight.
While Chippa are eyeing a top eight position, the rampant Wits will go to the top of the standings with 40 points should they beat Malesela’s charges.
Out of a possible 15 points, from their last five games, Chippa picked up only three after drawing with Mamelodi Sundowns (twice) and Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Manzini said they have just been unlucky in not turning their beautiful football into points.
Indeed, the Port Elizabeth-based side has been one of the must-watch teams this season with their dominant and entertaining carpet football.
Manzini admitted that not winning was putting them under pressure as they aim to finish in the top eight.
“The teams behind us are also winning so we need the points. We have to go there, work very hard and get the three points because one point will not be enough,” he said.
But easier said than done as the free-scoring Wits have been in fine form this season in their quest to make history and win the club’s first PSL title.
The hosts will have to be on top of their game if they are to be the fourth team to get the better of Gavin Hunt’s men.
Second-placed Wits have been absolutely ruthless in their last five games, scoring an impressive 15 goals while only conceding four in their four victories and a loss.
Manzini said they were aware that Wits are a quality side.
“But Chippa is also a very good team. We have just been unlucky, but we’ll push very hard. We respect Wits but we won’t show them any respect on the pitch.
“We’ll have to start winning because it’s not good when you come back next season and you’re not in the top eight while other teams are playing.
“That’s why we’ll push very hard and try to win and do it for the fans and the coach as well since we have a lot of support in East London,” he said.
The top-flight-starved fans are expected to fill the stadium once again as they have done since Chippa decided to play some of their home games in Mdantsane this season.
The Chilli Boys are still unbeaten at Sisa, their home away from home.
They beat Highlands Park in December, drew with Sundowns and Arrows last month.
As a result of their single win this year, Chippa are languishing in 11th spot with 21 points from 19 games.
Should they put Wits to the sword, they could move back into the top eight – depending on the results of the other games tonight.
Manzini is aware that beating Wits will not be a walk in the park.
“They have quality players so we have to be cautious because they’re coming here to fight. But we’re ready for them. We’ll try our best to win so our supporters must not give up on us and continue supporting us,” he said.
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