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Malesela will stay, says Chippa COO

Cape Town - Dan Malesela looks set to continue as Chippa United head coach after he successfully steered the Eastern Cape outfit clear of relegation.

Malesela was absent from the Chilli Boys' bench a few weeks ago, sparking speculation that he was to be axed.

But he returned for the final few matches of the season and helped to stave off relegation after his side picked up four points from the last two matches of the campaign.

Any uncertainty over his future has now seemingly been ended after the club's Chief Operations Officer Lukhanyo Mzinzi told the Sowetan that Malesela will remain in charge.

"The coach has a three-year contract with the team, so he is coming back next season. He is our coach," he said.

The pressure will however be on Malesela to deliver in the 2017/18 campaign.

"We have to discuss a lot of things including player recruitment," Mzinzi declared.

"Being the only PSL club in the Eastern Cape comes with its own pressure. We are a young club but we know that people of this province love us and they love beautiful things.

"So‚ we might have to challenge for at least one trophy next season because they can't wait for too long. We are always mindful of that."

Speaking after the 0-0 draw against Free State Stars kept the Chilli Boys afloat, Malesela said he hopes never to find himself in a similar situation again.

"We owe it to these guys (the supporters)‚ we owe it to PE and the people of the Eastern Cape to have this team here. This is why you need to have this team here.

"I am pleased with the result and it's a situation we don't want to be in ever again. It's stressful.

"Everybody was under pressure‚ not only me. Even the players. You could tell in the match that there was just tension. It was one of the most tense games we have ever played in," he said.

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