With focus on PSL, Chippa not too fazed with Cup loss
CHIPPA United coach Roger Sikhakhane will focus on the Nelson Mandela Bay team's Premier Soccer League fortunes after they were eliminated from the Telkom Knockout Cup competition at the weekend.
In the opening round of the competition, Chippa were defeated 1-0 by champions Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in North West province on Saturday.
Chilli Boys' communications manager Lukhanyo Mzinzi said yesterday Sikhakhane was not too fazed about the Telkom Cup game as he and his team's focus was on the PSL.
An own goal by Chilli Boys' captain James Okwuosa in the 85th minute ensured Dikwena went through to the quarterfinals of the cup challenge.
"Yes, we were expecting to go through to the next round, even though the cup game was not in our scope," Mzinzi said.
"Now that we are out of the Telkom challenge, it's time to shift our focus to our next league game.
"I must admit, our boys didn't take many chances at goals and their goal was a silly mistake. But it happened so we can't worry about that – it's time to move on."
Stars' goal was a result of brilliant play by the home side from the centre of the field where a cross from midfielder Mahlatse Makudubela was deflected by the captain into the far corner of his side's own net.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns' coach Pitso Mosimane said his club would be closing its cheque book because the Brazilians finally had what they needed.
"I can bet you that you will never see big numbers again next season," Mosimane said.
"We are changing the history of the last seven years and are starting a new era. But I think we will slow down now because we have enough quality.
"This is a good squad for the next three to five years."
Mosimane was speaking after a fiery Sundowns dumped Pretoria neighbour and varsity side AmaTuks from the last 16 stage of the Telkom Cup with a 2-1 victory at Loftus Stadium on Saturday night.
SuperSport United coach Gordon Igesund singled out substitute David Mathebula for swinging the game in his side's last 16, 1-0 Telkom Knockout victory against Free State Stars at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.
Mathebula came on as a 43rd-minute replacement for injured Bradley Grobler and was instrumental in picking holes through Stars' defence.
He laid on a great pass to split the defence for a 80th- minute winner by Dove Wome.
"Stars parked the bus. My job was to find the solution, and the solution was David Mathebula," Igesund said.
"We were playing into Stars' hands in the first half by rushing things. I told the players at half time to be more patient.
"When Mathebula came on everything slowed down.
"He picked his head up and started passing," Igesund said. – Additional reporting by Mazola Molefe and Marc Strydom - Mthetho Ndoni
