WeeklySA_AdminFATEFUL: Might chairman Mpengesi pull trigger if new Chilli Boys coach fails to produce goods?
By Masoja Cele
Polokwane City are confident they will collect maximum points in their Betway Premiership fixture against struggling Chippa United.
The clash takes place at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, on Sunday at 3 pm. Both teams approach this fixture oozing with confidence.
Each in midweek encounters earned victory, with City stretched to 2-1 victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows, while the Chilli Boys beat the newly promoted Orbit College by the same margin.
The Rise and Shine outfit had a shaky start to the new season – sharing the spoils with a goalless draw against; a 2-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs. They then went on to beat Siwelele 1-0 before being held to a draw by Durban City and Marumo Gallants.
In six outing, they have amassed a poor nine points instead of 18.
On the other end, Polokwane City have proved a better side, qualifying for the MTN 8 tournament, a tourney won by Orlando Pirates with a 3-0 victory against Stellenbosch.
The Limpopo side are gifted with good players. Creative midfielder Bonginkosi Dlamini is such a player, a forceful attacking striker. He combines well with talented Nyakala Raphadu, who is always a threat to any defence.
Long serving striker, Puleng Marema, continues to be a probing striker, even as he has slowed down, but his experience is fully exploited by his teammates.
In a midweek clash against Arrows, he was good, scoring a brilliant goal, with another goal coming from Bonginkosi Dlamini, a player United defence must keep in check.
In defence, city is solid, boasting of one of the most enterprising defenders in the league, Thabang Matuludi. The versatile Matuludi is a quality player, deserving a place in the Bafana Bafana squad considering his talents.
But United should not be undermined, even as they experience a rough patch. Just two matches into the news season, the Gqeberha- based side released coach Sinethemba Badela from his duties, this followed by the dismissal of assistant coach, Musa Nyatama, and his technical team.
Recently, the side appointed Luc Eymael as head coach, formerly a Free State Stars mentor.
This has not improved the situation. Under his stewardship, the Belgian-born first match against Pirates was a disaster. His side was clobbered 3-0.
However, the Chilli Boys seem to be making amends. Against debutante College, they clocked their first 2-1 win. Notorious for pulling the trigger when results fail to trickle in, it is anybody’s guess what the owner and chairman, Siviwe Mpengesi, might do.
Former Sekhukhune United technical member, Sly Mosala has been brought in to assist the Belgian head coach.
Mosala has a huge task ahead of him. He has to convince Mpengesi his tactical acumen will help to pull up his team from the bottom pit of the league.
The Chilli Boys management have recalled striker Bievenu Eva Nga. He was part of the 18 players placed on transfer at the end of the last season.
The former Pirates aggressive striker left for Italy to try his luck with the Italian Serie C side Portogruaro Calcio. However, he failed to register with the team due to work permit difficulties.
Coach Eymael and his technical team expect a fitter Eva Nga to travel to Polokwane.
