Chippa United right-back Diamond Thopola admits the second half of the Premier Soccer League has not been easy for the team but that the players remain determined to keep the club in the top eight.
The Chilli Boys continue their fight to cement the club’s position in the top eight when they play third-placed Platinum Stars in a PSL fixture at Wolfson Stadium this aftertnoon.
Thopola says the players will be out to avenge their 3-2 loss to Dikwena in the first leg of the league.
The side is currently eighth on the log with 34 points from 25 matches.
“We are trying to redeem ourselves because we have not won in five games. So we are looking forward to this game.
“We lost 3-2 to Platinum Stars in the first round so we owe them one,” he said.
“We are trying to keep the team in the top eight but things have not been going right for us.
“But we are trying to push as much as we can to make sure by the end of the season the team remains in the top eight bracket.”
Thopola says what has made matters tougher for them is that most of their games in this second leg of the league have been away matches.
But it will not get any easier as the Port Elizabeth-based club is faced with two tough games this week. After today’s match, Chippa’s next league fixture will be against Bidvest Wits on Saturday.
The former Thando Royal Zulu skipper said the players will need to be mentally and physically strong.
“Obviously we need everyone in the team to pull their weight. Everyone is ready for selection and fitness-wise we don’t have many injuries.”
Chippa need to collect all the points they can muster this week because their run-in to the end of the season will be against Golden Arrows, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
The Bay side will clearly have to dig deep in the next few weeks.
But Chippa captain James Okwuosa is confident that his team will be able to achieve their mandate this season.
“In PSL there is no easy team. In PSL anybody loses and anybody wins. You just pray to have a good day on your game day.
“It’s not like Pirates and Chiefs are not beatable. They have lost this season and most of the games they have lost were to inferior teams,” he said.
“We do not need any motivation when we are playing against those teams. It’s something that we need to do well because it’s our duty. We get paid for it.”
Okwuosa said their dream was to create history for the Eastern Cape.
The Nigerian defender who is rumoured to be leaving the team next season said he has received some offers but said he could not mention any team names at this stage.
“There are some offers. In football you just have to play and when the offer comes you have to think first and not rush to conclusions.
“It’s my decision to make now, but I am still contracted to my club which I am very happy with at the moment.”
Payback time for Chilli Boys for stinging loss
The Chilli Boys continue their fight to cement the club’s position in the top eight when they play third-placed Platinum Stars in a PSL fixture at Wolfson Stadium this aftertnoon.
Thopola says the players will be out to avenge their 3-2 loss to Dikwena in the first leg of the league.
The side is currently eighth on the log with 34 points from 25 matches.
“We are trying to redeem ourselves because we have not won in five games. So we are looking forward to this game.
“We lost 3-2 to Platinum Stars in the first round so we owe them one,” he said.
“We are trying to keep the team in the top eight but things have not been going right for us.
“But we are trying to push as much as we can to make sure by the end of the season the team remains in the top eight bracket.”
Thopola says what has made matters tougher for them is that most of their games in this second leg of the league have been away matches.
But it will not get any easier as the Port Elizabeth-based club is faced with two tough games this week. After today’s match, Chippa’s next league fixture will be against Bidvest Wits on Saturday.
The former Thando Royal Zulu skipper said the players will need to be mentally and physically strong.
“Obviously we need everyone in the team to pull their weight. Everyone is ready for selection and fitness-wise we don’t have many injuries.”
Chippa need to collect all the points they can muster this week because their run-in to the end of the season will be against Golden Arrows, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
The Bay side will clearly have to dig deep in the next few weeks.
But Chippa captain James Okwuosa is confident that his team will be able to achieve their mandate this season.
“In PSL there is no easy team. In PSL anybody loses and anybody wins. You just pray to have a good day on your game day.
“It’s not like Pirates and Chiefs are not beatable. They have lost this season and most of the games they have lost were to inferior teams,” he said.
“We do not need any motivation when we are playing against those teams. It’s something that we need to do well because it’s our duty. We get paid for it.”
Okwuosa said their dream was to create history for the Eastern Cape.
The Nigerian defender who is rumoured to be leaving the team next season said he has received some offers but said he could not mention any team names at this stage.
“There are some offers. In football you just have to play and when the offer comes you have to think first and not rush to conclusions.
“It’s my decision to make now, but I am still contracted to my club which I am very happy with at the moment.”
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