Cape Town - Chippa United forward Rhulani Manzini has sung the praises of Dan Masalesa, citing the coach's football philosophy ahead of their MTN 8 semi-final tie with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Chilli Boys face Sundowns in the first leg on Sunday, September 11 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and Manzini revealed the ambition that Masalesa has instilled within the team.
"We must have ambition because we have these competitions that are on offer this season. (The coach says) we must not go there to be spectator, we must play there to win because anything is possible," he told the Sowetan.
Chippa boast an undefeated start to their 2016/17 campaign following 2-1 and 2-0 victories against Free State Stars and Platinum Stars respectively.
The latter result ensured Masalesa's side a semi-final berth, where he will come up against his former employers, having served as a youth team coach at Chloorkop in 2014.
"He is a very good coach. His philosophy of football is very good and he encourages us to work hard and to be disciplined," added Manzini.
"He is not only a coach, he is also a disciplinarian on and off the field, he guards us each and every day.
"We respect Sundowns as champions of the league but on Sunday it will be a different ball game. We will work hard to make it to the final, if possible. We are preparing very well for the game.
"We are a team which likes keeping the ball and it is very difficult for opponents to create opportunities."
The Chilli Boys face Sundowns in the first leg on Sunday, September 11 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and Manzini revealed the ambition that Masalesa has instilled within the team.
"We must have ambition because we have these competitions that are on offer this season. (The coach says) we must not go there to be spectator, we must play there to win because anything is possible," he told the Sowetan.
Chippa boast an undefeated start to their 2016/17 campaign following 2-1 and 2-0 victories against Free State Stars and Platinum Stars respectively.
The latter result ensured Masalesa's side a semi-final berth, where he will come up against his former employers, having served as a youth team coach at Chloorkop in 2014.
"He is a very good coach. His philosophy of football is very good and he encourages us to work hard and to be disciplined," added Manzini.
"He is not only a coach, he is also a disciplinarian on and off the field, he guards us each and every day.
"We respect Sundowns as champions of the league but on Sunday it will be a different ball game. We will work hard to make it to the final, if possible. We are preparing very well for the game.
"We are a team which likes keeping the ball and it is very difficult for opponents to create opportunities."