Malesela: History not for me!

Cape Town - Speaking about last season's struggles, Chippa United coach Dan Malesela says he is not someone who pays much attention to the past.

The Chilli Boys narrowly escaped relegation after a poor second half of the season and at one stage Malesela found himself sidelined after being placed on 'special leave' for a few weeks in April.

Chippa began the new season with a 0-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates on Saturday evening.

Commenting on the situation last season, Malesela says he prefers to be solution-driven rather than spending energy dwelling on negatives.

"The reason why I didn't do history at school is because I thought it was talking about dead people and bad things," he told KickOff website.

"Sometimes history brings out things that you had forgotten about and also hampers progress. I don't like focusing on history because it doesn't really build you.

"I am one with solutions. I like solutions. If you keep reminding me about what happened back then you are sort of distracting me from making progress."

The former Sundowns and Orlando Pirates defender says he never felt the urge to leave the Chilli Boys, despite offers.

"I have a working relationship with the chairman (Siviwe Mpengesi) and together with the technical team," he added.

"I was not desperate to go back to Chippa United because I already had some offers here and there, but then I decided to go back. I am not one who likes this thing of moving from one club to another and being happy to find a job by moving.

"I like the challenge of building and I see that there is a bit of potential in this club to grow bigger than it is now because we are in one very massive area. 

"The Eastern Cape is big and if we can build this club and make it something for the Eastern Cape, then we will progress. I am grateful that I am the one who is chosen to use that platform."

Chippa's next game is against AmaZulu at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday night.