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Cape Town - Chippa United head coach Dan Malesela wants to see an improvement in the centre of his team's defence.
On Tuesday night in Port Elizabeth the Chilli Boys needed a late added time goal to beat the league's bottom team, Baroka FC, 2-1.
Having sold long-time club servant, Nigerian central defender James Okwuosa to Orlando Pirates, Malesela fielded Bongani Kama and Xolani Mdaki in the middle of his defence, while leaving new arrival, Justice Chabalala, who arrived from Pirates, on the bench.
Commenting on the match, Malesela admitted he was not pleased with the way his rearguard performed and sees a lot of room for improvement ahead of the Chippa's showdown with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns next Tuesday.
"This is a big concern for me. It is important for us to anticipate situations better, more especially in a centre back position," he told the club website.
"I know, I played there. It is my 'home' (the centre back position). We need to react better, but I also understand that it is a relatively new pairing even though they have played together in the past," he added.
Full-back Marc van Heerden also joined Pirates and against Baroka, Malesela played winger Paseka Mako at left-back - a glance at the Chippa defence suggests they are lacking in depth.
Malesela will be hoping that his defence improves in time for the clash against one of the most dangerous attacks in Masandawana at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Tuesday night.
Kick off is at 19:30.
