Cape Town - Chippa united won’t go down without a fight. The Philippi-based club is rock-bottom on the PSL standings, but coach Wilfred Mugeyi is adamant that both he and his team are not yet ready to wave the white flag and willingly accept they will be relegated.
As long as there is hope, as long as there are games remaining, Chippa will battle every inch of the way.
On Sunday, Mugeyi takes his team to KwaZulu-Natal for a crucial league clash against Maritzburg United (kick-off 3.30pm) - and the Zimbabwean admits that, from here on in, every game is “like a cup final”.
“If we are to survive, then we have to start collecting points,” said Mugeyi.
“Most importantly, we have to start winning away from home. So far this season, we have not yet won on the road and that is a problem.
“We are always good for points at home, but it’s away that we have to be more determined.”
Mugeyi’s thoughts on home games become even more significant now that the PSL has given Chippa the go-ahead to play night games at Philippi Stadium.
“It will be a huge boost for us,” said Mugeyi. “When I came to Chippa, the first thing I asked was why we are playing at Athlone when we are training every day in Philippi?
“Thankfully, that has now been solved, with the club improving the floodlights. Playing our last few home games in Philippi will give us a huge advantage and a great opportunity for points. But to capitalise on that even more, we need to pick up points away from home.”
Mugeyi is in his first stint as a PSL head coach. He was previously an assistant-coach at neighbours Ajax Cape Town.
There is no doubt that, since Mugeyi’s arrival at the Philippi side, the team has shown a great deal of improvement.
There has been better commitment, more confidence in possession and Chippa have, for this first time this season, looked like a team that can actually compete at this level. One thing, though, remains absent: Goals.
“I have been happy with the manner in which the squad has responded at training,” said Mugeyi.
“Everything I have tried to implement, like not surrendering possession and enjoying the game, is slowly coming together. The only problem has been the lack of goals. We are creating scoring chances, but not finishing off as I would want.
“It’s an area we have been working very hard on at training, and I’m hoping it will pay off against Maritzburg on Sunday.”
Mugeyi’s unveiling as Chippa coach in January coincided with the signing of a number of players designed to strengthen the squad - like former Bafana captain Mbulelo Mabizela, tricky winger Masibusane Zongo and striker Stanton Lewis.
Soon after, Mugeyi also landed another coup by persuading former Manchester City striker, Zimbabwean Benjamin “Benjani” Mwuwaruwari, to join Chippa.
“The new players have done well for the team,” said Mugeyi. “They have experience and it has led to the other players in the squad being able to perform with more confidence. The key thing is that the way the guys are training, that is exactly the way they are performing. We just need to step it up a little more.
“Zongo has been particularly good. I have also spoken to him about the areas where he needs to use his skill, and where he needs to be more cautious.”
Chippa have two suspensions for the Maritzburg fixture, with Nigerian defender James Okwuosa and midfielder Buyani Sali serving one and two-match bans respectively.
In preparing for the trip to KwaZulu-Natal, Mugeyi acknowledged that his team can expect to be up against it.
“Maritzburg have improved tremendously over the last few seasons,” he said. “They are tough to beat, especially at home. It will not be an easy game, we will have to be at our best to get something from the match.
“But if we perform the way we have in recent weeks, and, importantly, if we can convert our scoring opportunities, then we can get a positive result.”
Cape Argus