Chippa United chairman Siviwe "Chippa" Mpengesi fell humiliated by South Africa after hiring coach Luc Eymael in January. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images.
Chippa were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by the self-same Stars at Bethlehem on Saturday, and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways following three straight defeats.
“We have accepted that we are out of the Nedbank Cup. The boys gave it their all on Saturday and it was not to be,” said Mpengesi.
“I spoke to the coach after the game on Saturday [Nedbank Cup]. Free State Stars did not win because they were better, but because we made a few mistakes at the back. He also identified areas of focus ahead of the game on Saturday.
“He knows what we expect of him having worked with us in the past when he promoted us to the Premiership. He has welcomed the challenge to come here and his important game is the one on Saturday,” added Mpengesi.
“The way forward is for us to focus fully on our position in the Absa Premiership. It is important that we win our next game and we hope to defend our record at Sisa Dukashe where we have not lost this season. We were able to beat both Cape Town City and Mamelodi Sundowns at Sisa Dukashe and we are positive going to this game. We do not want to go to the play-offs,” Mpengesi continued.
The Chippa boss conceded that the top four is no longer in the club’s control.
“It is a dream postponed not denied, to make it to the top.
“We remain hopeful that as a football club we will be able to achieve that feat soon. The priority now is to win the next game and possible the next three games to move clear from the danger zone. We are number 11th on the log and three points above playoffs,” commented Mpengesi.
Meanwhile club captain James Okwuosa has called on his teammates to stand up and be counted come Saturday.
“We need to show character and fight for maximum points on Saturday. I am sad that I will not be playing due to suspension but there is little I can do about that now. I will be with the players in spirit when they take the pitch.
“We are concerned with our position on the log but we still believe that we will be able to drag the team out of the position we find ourselves in starting on Saturday,” said Okwuosa.
The match against Stars is set to be played at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
