Chippa United coach Sinethemba Badela warned that there would be no room for complacency in his team.
This comes after the Gqeberha side played to a 1-1 draw in their season opener against Betway Premiership defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Though happy with his players’ performance and the results, the 35-year-old coach said there was still more work to be done.
He also called for consistency as the Chilli Boys prepare for their second league fixture against newly promoted Durban City at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban on Wednesday (7.30pm).
“It’s going to be a big challenge because, for example, I think Mamelodi Sundowns had beaten us seven times in a row,” Badela said.
“So, for the club, it feels like a victory, but for me, I am never satisfied, and the players know that they need to watch the game, and they know that they need to improve.
“I have been telling them that every game in the PSL is very difficult.
“This one here, luckily enough, we did not have to motivate them. But players should not be the coaches.
“They should be motivated every day, they should be motivated to do recovery today and rest and watch their games, and on Sunday, they should come to training with the right mentality and looking forward to the next game.
“Because you can get a draw against Sundowns, and then from there you lose your next four games, and it means nothing.
“So, I will not allow my players to relax, even though I am proud of them for the work they have done today [Saturday].
“But I think we can still do more, this group has a lot more that they can give, and like I said, we are not even at full strength.
“I did not have Justice Figuareido, Banele Hlophe, just to name a few.
“I think with those additions coming in and more competition in the squad, there won’t be any complacency because once you become complacent, you will not play.”
Meanwhile, goals from Samkelo Maseko and Mfanafuthi Mkhize saw league rookies Durban City open their top-flight debut season on a high, beating TS Galaxy 2-0 at the weekend.
The Durban side will also be looking for consistency when they host Chippa at home on Wednesday night.
Fixtures:
Tuesday: Mamelodi Sundowns vs AmaZulu; Marumo Gallants vs Orlando Pirates; Orbit College vs Siwelele (all at 7.30pm).
Wednesday: Durban City vs Chippa United; Golden Arrows vs Richards Bay; Kaizer Chiefs vs Polokwane City; Magesi vs Stellenbosch; Sekhukhune United vs TS Galaxy (all at 7.30pm).
The Herald
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