Chippa United coach Dan “Dance” Malesela is after a flying start when his team kick off their Absa Premiership campaign away to Bloemfontein Celtic at Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday.
But with former Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela in the hot seat at Celtic, Malesela says he has no idea what to expect from the team that goes by the moniker “Siwelele”, come Sunday.
“We don’t have any footage or information on Celtic. They have a new coach so we actually don’t know what approach to expect,” Malesela said
“However, we have decided to distance ourselves from that as a team and focus on what we have to do.
“We are hoping to collect points or a point at the worst.
“We are not being complacent with regard to what we have read in the newspapers about Celtic. That is not our business.
“Our business is to play football and see that on the day we entertain fans and also grab the points,” the coach said.
Malesela’s target is a topfour finish for the Chilli Boys this season.
Looking at the quality of players the club has signed and how pre-season training has progressed, he is confident that goal is reachable.
Malesela is also pinning his hopes on new signing and experienced midfielder Daine Klate to do the business.
“We have a better understanding of things this season. I think we have a lot more maturity in the players that are there. The senior players . . . they will help in terms of shaping the team.
“I am not going to commit to a lot of things, but I am hoping for us to be in a very good position come the end of the season, and not have to deal with this talk of us qualifying for the top eight.
“It’s like a song that has become boring. I am hoping that we go above that and maybe go to the top four.”Malesela, a former Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates skipper himself , has also passed on a few words of wisdom to new team captain Mark Mayambela.
“To Mark I want to say, as a former captain and knowing what it takes to be a captain, the biggest joy is when you lift that trophy.
“You will never believe the joy when you’re the one who is being called up to pick up the trophy and lift it up before everybody touches it.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele extended his 12-year stay with the Soweto giants by signing a new contract until 2019‚ the club announced on Friday.
The 31-year-old centreback is the longest-serving player in the current squad and is still going strong.
“Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that captain Happy Jele has signed on the dotted line to extend his stay on board the Buccaneers ship for another season‚” the club said on their website.
“The deal was concluded after a brief meeting between the player and club management on Tuesday.
“Jele will be celebrating his 12th season as an Orlando Pirates player when the 2018-19 season kicks off this weekend,” the website confirmed.
The defender has made more than 250 appearances for Pirates in all competitions.
The Buccaneers kick off their bid for the Premiership title against Highlands Park at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.
Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids has stressed the importance of collecting points from the word go, heading into their KwaZulu-Natal derby against Lamontville Golden Arrows at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday.
“It is very important that we start the season on a high note. “Our aim is to collect many points in the opening games‚” Davids said.
“Achieving that goal will lessen the pressure midway through the season.”
The Maritzburg tactician feels that Arrows have the upper hand after outwitting the “Team of Choice” 1-0 in the KZN Premier’s Cup pre-season tournament last week.
Sunday’s PSL fixture may be the campaign’s opener, but Davids reckons it’ll go down as “the toughest of the season”.
“This is the toughest match of the season because all your preparations go to 90 minutes.
“Arrows are one of the best counter-attacking sides in the league yet are organised defensively. They have good defensive structure – that’s one of their strengths‚” he said.
Maritzburg finally caved to the exertions of champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Friday as the Pretoria team announced the signing of star attacker Lebohang Maboe from the “Team of Choice”.
United have‚ however‚ bolstered their squad with the likes of former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Keagan Buchanan and veteran right-back Nazeer Allie from Bidvest Wits.
Davids revealed that only Buchanan was in line to make his debut against Abafana Bes’thende on Sunday.
“Buchanan had a full preseason with us and he’s on the right track. However‚ we won’t put pressure on him‚” the coach said.
“He will need some time to adjust to our style but he’s definitely available for selection on Sunday.
“Allie is in his second week with us and he will only be available in the next couple of weeks.
“Denwin Farmer [the 21year-old defender] came with an ankle injury from SuperSport United last season. He’s still getting rehabilitation with our medical team,” he added.
Sunday's match starts at 3pm.