Chippa United coach Clinton Larsen is thrilled with his team’s progress since he took over the reins and has now set his sight on greater success.
The Port Elizabeth professional soccer side have not been beaten in his three matches at the helm so far. There have been victories over Maritzburg United and Mamelodi Sundowns and their most recent result was a 1-1 draw away to Baroka in Polokwane on Sunday.
The former Golden Arrows coach says if they can maintain their form, any talk of relegation will be in the past.
“We are unbeaten in three (games). For a team that was losing every week there is a huge improvement in our results and in our performance,” Larsen said.
“The fighting spirit in the club is back and its strong. We knew it was not going to be easy, but like I said to the players before the game, we need to go away to difficult venues and get results.
“The result might not always be a win, it might be a draw at times. But if we can keep putting points on the board this team won’t get relegated.”
The draw has seen the Chilli Boys move up to 14th position on the log with 16 points but still far from out of trouble.
They are level on points with second-from-bottom Free State Stars but ahead of by virtue of superior goal difference.
“We are out of the bottom two and now we can start targeting the teams directly above us. I am very proud of the fighting spirit of the boys.
“We have not changed our team for three successive games and that says a lot about the consistency in our performances and results.
“So, I am happy with the point. Three points would have been better. I thought goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze also covered for them (Baroka) very well on three or four occasions.
“Especially the strike from Gladwin Shitolo that was a brilliant save. Our keeper also made one or two saves, but like I said, in general, I am very proud of my boys.”