Chippa United are working towards getting into the Absa Premiership top eight by the time they reach the December break, team skipper Mark Mayambela says.
They now occupy 13th position on the log with nine points from 10 matches.
But Chippa are only four points off their target and if they can get onto a winning streak they could achieve that goal. Chippa have gone win less in their last four matches with their most recent result being a credible goalless draw away to Kaizer Chiefs.
The Chilli Boys play Maritzburg United in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday night and on Friday next week host AmaZulu in Port Elizabeth.
“It’s very important for us to try our utmost best to get the results that we need.
“We are going for three points. Our position on the log is not looking attractive,” Mayambela said.
“So, it is important that we accumulate as many points as possible so that at least by December we will be sitting comfortably in the top eight. “I think that would be great for the team and for our supporters as well.” Coach Eric Tinkler’s troops have had a two week break to prepare for both fixtures courtesy of the internationals and the Telkom Knockout semifinals this weekend.
“The break gave us time to prepare well for our next game which is against Maritzburg United. We know that it is a very tricky team.
“The break also gave us time to work on ourselves as well as the team,” Mayambela said.
“We played a friendly match against ABC Motsepe League team Sibanye [on Wednesday] and beat them 4-0,” he said.
“Unfortunately, there aren’t many competitive teams in Nelson Mandela Bay, so it’s a bit difficult for us to get proper opponents to test ourselves.
“But, the friendly game will definitely have helped us in terms of mastering what we have been practicing at training.”
About the double-header next week, Mayambela said: “Every game is important to us.
“It does not matter who we’re up against. I think all of our opponents are competitive.
“The level of football has grown, the teams have grown in terms of the quality of players and coaches.
“I think holistically we can improve as a team.”