Chippa United coach Eric Tinkler will be desperate to make a winning start against his former side Super Sport United in their Absa Premiership fixture at Atteridgeville’s Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.
After the boardroom drama that resulted in Dan “Dance” Malesela losing his job last week, the dust has settled and it Is time for his replacement, Tinkler, to get the troops dancing to his tune.
Chippa are second from the bottom on the log standings with a mere point from three games.
Losses to Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates have not helped their cause.
A win over Matsatsantsa on Wednesday could be a huge motivational boost for the side and Tinkler will do his utmost to get the best out of his team.
Last week, the former Pirates coach said he would like to see Chippa finish in the top eight this season.
He said his task was to ensure that he gets the Chilli Boys away from the position they are in at the moment.
“It’s a good challenge because of the type of person that I am,” Tinkler said.
“I would like to finish in the top eight and I do think that is realistic.
“There is a good enough squad for us to try to fight to get into that top eight.”
With a trigger-happy boss, Tinkler will have to get the ball rolling by winning Wednesday’s game to remain in Chippa chair Siviwe Mpengesi’s good books.
Chippa captain Mark Mayambela says the players are happy to have Tinkler at the club. The former Pirates and Ajax Cape Town midfielder said the coach had what it took to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Meanwhile, SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo says there will be no room for emotions on Wednesday night.
“The MTN8 will take a back seat until after this match. We are putting our emphasis on the league and are not going to be emotional about meeting Eric Tinkler‚ who was with us last season‚” Tembo said.
The SuperSport coach said he would put out his strongest possible XI.
Tembo does not expect Chippa to be too different in their approach from Malesela’s style, as Tinkler has not been with them for long.
“What is important for us is to force them to play the way we want, not react to them.”
Wednesday’s fixtures:
Free State Stars v Cape Town City; SuperSport United v Chippa United; Bidvest Wits v AmaZulu; Golden Arrows v Polokwane City; Baroka v Highlands Park; Kaizer Chiefs v Bloemfontein Celtic
All matches kick off at 7.30pm