Chippa coach rues missed chances
CHIPPA United coach Roger Sikhakhane could not hide his disappointment after his side failed to secure second spot on the Premiership log on Wednesday night.
The Chilli Boys were forced to settle for a point after a 2-2 draw against Black Aces at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
United led the Mpumalanga-based outfit after a goal by Mpho Mvelase in the opening minutes of the game.
They then lost concentration and composure in the second half and allowed Clive Barker's charges to score two goals before Thamsanqa Sangweni equalised for the home side in the referee's optional time.
"We played very well but we missed a lot of scoring chances. Obviously, I'm not happy not to have won, especially at home, but this is the name of the game as we can't win all the matches.
"We could have killed the game in the first half but we allowed them back in when they scored in the second half. We fought back harder to find an equaliser because we can't afford to loose at home," Sikhakhane said.
He said the team's approach to games was the same whether they played at home or away.
The change he made to the team's starting lineup was because James Okwuosa was not available in the previous match against Free State Stars as he was serving a one-match ban.
He said it was unfortunate not to have playmaker William Twala, who was recovering from injury, but that would be ready to play in their next game.
"It is still way too early to judge the league race now, but our mandate is to keep our status in the PSL and not be relegated.
"Our focus is on our upcoming games and we want to remain in the top eight before the Christmas break.
"I don't doubt the players' potential to achieve this feat," Sikhakhane said.
United moved from fourth to third spot on the log with 21 points from 13 games, trailing leaders Kaizer Chiefs by 12 points and second- placed Ajax Cape Town by a point.
They will now face their former head coach Kosta Papic's side, Polokwane City, on Saturday. - Mthetho Ndoni
