The Premier Soccer League will again be handing the winner of the Premiership a fat R10million cheque at the end of the season. Unfortunately for Chippa, the only way they will see that cheque is if the winning team send them a picture.
The Chilli Boys are bottom of the Premiership standings, fighting to stay in the top flight. They are in a battle to stay put and earn a PSL grant of R1.5million a month, which is a world apart from the R380 000 the National First Division teams have to survive on.
But Chippa have to start winning to avoid their monthly payday to plunge by R1.12m. A six-match winless streak has seen them drop off the pace in the relegation battle. They have also lost another coach to the axe, Wilfred Mugeyi, who was yesterday appointed assistant to Craig Rosslee at AmaZulu.
Chippa suffered a sixth consecutive defeat at SuperSport United last week, leaving new coach Mark Harrison with six matches to try and pull the biggest escape act since Harry Houdini’s in the 1900s.
Although Harrison has talked up his new team’s chances to stay up, his assignment is a tough one, starting with tonight’s match against Moroka Swallows at Philippi Stadium (kickoff 7.30pm). Swallows are unbeaten in their last four matches, and have all but secured their safety in the PSL.
The Birds also boast Chippa reject Larry Cohen, who was probably one of the Cape side’s best players before his contract was terminated for no apparent reason in January.
Cohen has continued his good form at Swallows, the midfielder showing his versatility with some commanding performances at centre back. It would be rather ironic if he comes back to Cape Town to deny Chippa a win tonight.
The Chilli Boys will be without their main creative threat, veteran midfielder Brent Carelse, who is suspended for tonight’s match. Carelse has been Chippa’s stand-out player this season, and his experience and guile against a start-studded Swallows midfield will be sorely missed.
PSL FIXTURES
Tonight: Mamelodi Sundowns v University of Pretoria (Loftus Stadium, 7.30pm), Free State Stars v Orlando Pirates (Charles Mopeli Stadium, 7.30pm), AmaZulu v Bloemfontein Celtic (Moses Mabhida Stadium, 7.30pm), Wits v Platinum Stars (Bidvest Stadium, 7.30pm), Maritzburg United v Golden Arrows (Harry Gwala Stadium, 7.30pm), Chippa United v Moroka Swallows (Philippi Stadium, 7.30pm). - Cape Times