To keep their top-eight-finish hopes alive, Chippa United will be on a mission to clinch a crucial point against Betway Premiership defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns when the sides meet on Wednesday.
Chippa are eighth on the log with 30 points from 25 matches, a position that they will want to hold on to until the season comes to an end.
With three games remaining, the Chilli Boys are in a good position to achieve their top-eight goal for the season.
The last time the Gqeberha-based side managed this was nine years ago under the leadership of coach Dan “Dance” Malesela, when they finished sixth on the log.
Since then, they have been battling relegation more often than not.
They have not won a match in four consecutive league matches.
The last time the club tasted success was in March with a 2-1 victory against AmaZulu.
Chippa played to two goalless draws against Golden Arrows and Kaizer Chiefs before losing 1-0 and 2-0 against Stellenbosch and SuperSport United, respectively, in their last back-to-back away fixtures.
They are hoping their luck will change against the defending champions on Wednesday (7.30pm).
The Chilli Boys are on the road again, this time at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, where they will meet Masandawana with the hopes of a positive result.
Chippa head coach Thabo September is well aware that playing Sundowns is never an easy mission, but said he has prepared his players well for the match.
Sundowns are chasing their ninth consecutive league title this season. They are on top of the log with 61 points from 24 matches.
“It’s always tough for any team in the league to play against Sundowns,” September said.
“Also, we don’t do ourselves any justice when we lose our regular player [Sirgio] Kammies [to a red card against SuperSport United] in the dying minutes of the game, and you are going to play Sundowns.
“We will prepare for them, we have players, we will try to get a result out of Sundowns.”
Meanwhile, Sundowns centre-forward Iqraam Rayners said they expected a tough match against Chippa.
“The mood is good in the camp between the players, the coaches, the technical team and the staff. I think we are all in a good space,” Rayners said.
“It’s always difficult to play the teams in the bottom half because they are either fighting to get into the top eight or fighting for their lives to stay in the league.
“But for us, it’s important to get points and focus on the next game.
“It’s always good for a team like Chippa United to play a team like Sundowns, they are always going to make things difficult for us, but we just have to take the game to the next level and get the points.”
This week’s fixtures:
Betway Premiership
Wednesday: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Chippa United, Loftus Versfeld (7.30pm)
Sunday: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Stellenbosch FC, Loftus Versfeld (3pm)
Nedbank Cup final
Saturday: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates, Moses Mabhida Stadium (3.30pm)
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.