Tactical discipline in defence helped Chilli Boys achieve two consecutive wins, also managing not to concede a single goal in both matches.
That’s the word from the PE-based team’s interim coach Roger Sikhakhane after beating Orlando Pirates 1-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium on Saturday. Now after two matches in charge of Chippa following the departure of Kosta Papic, Sikhakhane has managed to lift the Premier League returnees from 13th on the log when he took over, to seventh position.
Ironically, all six points that the side got among the top eight, were collected at the expense of Soweto giants as they also thumped Moroka Swallows 2-0 a fortnight ago.
“There is nothing special that we've been doing except an improved tactical discipline at the back,” said Sikhakhane.
“Under Papic we were playing well but we invested lots of energies on attacking play more than in defensive play hence we were porous at the back while not scoring many goals upfront.”
According to Sikhakhane, the triumph against highly- fancied Pirates “was not a shocker as everyone is now making it to be”. He said he knew that scoring early would deliver a win and “we had an intensive two-week-long preparation for that game with emphasis on polishing our defence because that is the easiest way to win against these so-called big three.
“For me there is no such thing as a big team because two teams playing on any given day both field 11 players each. What’s big and better about Pirates?
“Because we also have quality players, some who are internationals, just like so for me the playing field was level except that we were playing at home.”
Sikhakhane would now want his players to ignore the “media hype” about conquering Bucs, and urge them to focus on their upcoming Telkom Knockout clash against Platinum Stars on Saturday, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Chippa have never lost against Stars in three top- flight football meetings and collected their first three points of the ongoing campaign against the Phokeng side.
Sikhakhane believes this should not be their motivating factor, instead “we must work hard to maintain our winning momentum”. Chippa were taking the TKO cup “seriously” but under no pressure and dream to win the silverware”, continued Sikhakhane.
Chippa plug leaky defence and it all pays dividends
That’s the word from the PE-based team’s interim coach Roger Sikhakhane after beating Orlando Pirates 1-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium on Saturday. Now after two matches in charge of Chippa following the departure of Kosta Papic, Sikhakhane has managed to lift the Premier League returnees from 13th on the log when he took over, to seventh position.
Ironically, all six points that the side got among the top eight, were collected at the expense of Soweto giants as they also thumped Moroka Swallows 2-0 a fortnight ago.
“There is nothing special that we've been doing except an improved tactical discipline at the back,” said Sikhakhane.
“Under Papic we were playing well but we invested lots of energies on attacking play more than in defensive play hence we were porous at the back while not scoring many goals upfront.”
According to Sikhakhane, the triumph against highly- fancied Pirates “was not a shocker as everyone is now making it to be”. He said he knew that scoring early would deliver a win and “we had an intensive two-week-long preparation for that game with emphasis on polishing our defence because that is the easiest way to win against these so-called big three.
“For me there is no such thing as a big team because two teams playing on any given day both field 11 players each. What’s big and better about Pirates?
“Because we also have quality players, some who are internationals, just like so for me the playing field was level except that we were playing at home.”
Sikhakhane would now want his players to ignore the “media hype” about conquering Bucs, and urge them to focus on their upcoming Telkom Knockout clash against Platinum Stars on Saturday, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Chippa have never lost against Stars in three top- flight football meetings and collected their first three points of the ongoing campaign against the Phokeng side.
Sikhakhane believes this should not be their motivating factor, instead “we must work hard to maintain our winning momentum”. Chippa were taking the TKO cup “seriously” but under no pressure and dream to win the silverware”, continued Sikhakhane.
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