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Port Elizabeth - Nelson Mandela Bay is expected to be buzzing this coming weekend when they welcome Kaizer Chiefs to town for an Absa Premiership encounter on Saturday, 03 December 2016.
The Chilli Boys started the season in splendid fashion with their intricate passing, but have gone off the boil without a win in eight games. They have lost two out of five games at home.
Head Coach Daniel 'Dance' Malesela has rued missed chances in recent weeks which have seen the side sliding down the league log table, and it was again the case against Maritzburg United. Dan expressed confidence in his charges ahead of the visit by Kaizer Chiefs at a press conference in Port Elizabeth.
“Our focus has now shifted focus to Kaizer Chiefs. We have one day to prepare for the game on Saturday, and will make the most of it.
“We have forced changes due to injuries, so we have to get the balance right on Saturday. We take lessons from each and every game we play, and it was not different against Maritzburg United on Tuesday where we came back with a valuable point.
Malesela said his side need to start taking their chances to win games, “We had the same story on Tuesday and I am hoping, in fact I believe, that this story will end on Saturday, where we concede one and then miss 10 chances,” he said.
Teams have deployed defensive tactics to counter Chippa United’s style of play, but Malesela said he is not expecting the visitors to resort to the same tactics.
“The challenge sometimes is that we always look at a team and their style of play but when we play them it becomes a different thing. This makes it difficult to plan according to the way the opposition plays, but our focus is on improving our play and breaking down solid defense.
“I do not think Kaizer Chiefs will do that (employ ultra defensive tactics) on Saturday though. They are a team that always look to dominate and attack. I think they will come here and play and open, it will be an open game. They are not coming here for a draw. They want maximum points, as do we.
“The expression on the player’s faces after the Maritzburg game was that; we need to start scoring goals. Come Saturday, I think we will,” added Malesela with confidence.
James Okwuosa added, “We have been trying to improve on each and every game we play. The spirit in the group remains high. The league is a marathon but we also understand that we need to start collecting points, especially at home.
“We have set clear objectives of where want to be in May and we need to start winning games, no doubt about that. We must pick up the positives from our previous games including Maritzburg United.
“We would like to see the supporters coming once again in their numbers to rally behind the lads,” added the Nigerian-born towering defender.
Tickets for the game are on sale at Ticket Pro outlets selling for R40 adults and R10 for school going children.
Kickoff is at 18:00.
