Chippa United will go into their last PSL fixture of the season at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in high spirits when they host SuperSport United on Sunday (3.30pm).
The Chilli Boys have gone unbeaten for six games, but they will have every reason to ensure they come out of the NU2 venue victorious because this is the game that can see them moving away from the relegation zone.
Clinton Larsen’s charges are sitting in 14th place on the log with 20 points after playing 21 league games.
Chippa have also made it to the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals and will soon have a date with Bidvest Wits.
Chippa United COO Lukhanyo Mzizi said these results would not have been possible if they had not stuck out their necks as management when they took risks by releasing senior players including Daniel Akpeyi, who is now at Kaizer Chiefs.
“The mood is electrifying in the camp, everybody is happy,” he said.
“Before the coach arrived we did some cleaning in the squad.
“That has perhaps helped him [Larsen] a lot because he is dealing with fewer players and everyone is playing regularly, unlike when we had senior players who were not playing.
“Though it was a risk to have this small squad, so far we are managing.”
Maintaining positive results until now has been a huge confidence booster for the Port Elizabeth side, but Mzizi conceded they had unfinished business with SuperSport United at Sisa Dukashe after losing 2-1 to Matsatsantsa in the first round of this season.
“You’ll remember we’ve got grudge matches with SuperSport on that field,” he said.
“They once kicked us out of a cup competition through penalties.
“But during our tenure in this province, you’ll see that we’ve collected more points at Sisa Dukashe.
“Our players love that pitch, the people there love us and the boys enjoy playing there.
“So on Sunday we expect nothing different.
“We know it’s going to be packed to the rafters and we know that our boys are going to come to the party.”
Mzizi conceded that United had been playing well, winning nine league games to collect 32 points and are in fifth position on the log.
“They are dangerous because they lost their last match [to Baroka],” he said.
“We drew the last match [1 -1 against Golden Arrows], coming from behind.
“I think the circumstances surrounding this match are going to make it one of the greatest matches people will ever watch.”
Mzizi said the priority of the club was doing well in their league commitments.
“That’s why we are putting so much effort into this match,” he said.
“Both playing staff and administrative staff want to make sure that it is a success.
“This is the match that can make sure that we really move away from the relegation zone, which most people are not happy about, but we are happy with the progress the coach is making.”