DStv Premiership coach set to throw in towel in fear of relegation
"Remember, my aim is to protect the team, and this multi-million status."
Pressure appears to be mounting on a coach in the DStv Premiership as his relegation-threatened outfit suffered yet another defeat in the league on Sunday afternoon.
The battle for DStv Premiership survival is intensifying as only eight points separate TS Galaxy in eighth place with bottom-of-the-table Marumo Gallants with nine games remaining.
Chippa United coach Morgan Mammila is one of the several tacticians in the league who are feeling the heat in the relegation dogfight.
Mammila has vowed to throw in the towel if his Chippa troops fail to win their next game against AmaZulu on Sunday, 05 March 2023, at home.
Chippa are enduring a poor run of form in the league as they have only managed to win two of their last 10 matches.
The outspoken Mammila cut a dejected figure about Chippa’s recent defeat against Swallows at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
A brace from Kagiso Malinga saw the Dube Birds travel back to Soweto with three points after a 2-1 win on Sunday.
The loss resulted in Mammila’s men dropping further down the log standings to 13th position. Only three points separate the Gqeberha side from relegation-threatened Maritzburg United and Gallants.
WHY THE CHIPPA COACH IS WILLING TO WALK AWAY
“This thing of us drawing and losing must come to an end because we are a team that can score,” said Mammila.
“We need to panic because you can see that the log does not lie; we were number 13 with 24 points, and other teams are on 25 and 26 points; it is not early if you’re winning. But if you’re not winning, it’s a problem.
“We need to address this, and one thing for sure, if in the upcoming match, I’m not winning, I’m not going to stand and watch this team draining.”
When probed on whether he is prepared to walk away, Mammila promised to resign to save the PSL status of his ‘friend’ Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi, who is well-known for showing coaches the exit door when they don’t deliver the goods.
And with the club struggling for results, Mammila is prepared to vacate his post for a better-equipped coach.
He recently roped in former Chippa coach Kurt Lentjies back into the team as the second assistant coach alongside Siya Gwambi.
“Remember, I’m a manager, a businessman, and I’m one person who’s fair and honest. If I don’t win against my competitors, then there’s trouble, then I’m a man who is in trouble,” admitted Mammila.
“Let’s be honest. If I don’t win against AmaZulu, what am I here for then? To relegate the team? No. I think I’ve done my part.
“The pressure is not there, but remember, football it’s about winning, and if you’re not winning and other teams are winning, and you are direct competitors, it’s a problem.
“If my direct competitors were not winning, then we’ll say something, but now my direct competitors are winning, and we’re not winning, then I have to look around.
“Remember, my aim is to protect the team, and this multi-million status and this team belongs to my friend. I’m a good friend, so I won’t let my friend lose the status.”
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