Chippa United’s plans disrupted by double setback before Pirates clash
Chippa United’s camp has been gripped by a sense of unease following news of a double setback that has thrown their preparations for the upcoming Orlando Pirates clash into disarray.
The Chilli Boys will be facing Pirates for the second time in a row after losing 3-1 against the same opponents in the Nedbank Cup semi-final last Saturday at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Before losing against the Buccaneers, Chippa United suffered a 2-1 defeat by another Soweto side Moroka Swallows in a league encounter. Chippa are currently sitting 10th on the log standings, and they are fighting to finish the 2023/24 season in the top eight.
The Eastern Cape-based side has won eight league matches, drawn another eight, and lost 10 times in 28 games. In the process, Chippa have collected 32 points, and they are one point adrift of Kaizer Chiefs, who occupy the eighth spot on the table.
WHAT ARE THE TWO MAJOR BLOWS FOR CHIPPA UNITED AHEAD OF THE LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST PIRATES?
With the Chippa Mpengesi-owned team aiming to cause a big upset against Pirates, they will be without the services of two key players Bienvenu Eva Nga and Graig Martin in their DStv Premiership match on Wednesday at Orlando Stadium.
Both players who were in the books of Pirates will miss the match due to suspensions. Martin accumulated his fourth yellow of the season against Pirates over the weekend, while Eva Nga received a red card in the same match.
Eva Nga joined Chippa during the January 2024 transfer window after failing to break into the Pirates’ starting line-up. The Cameroonian international faced stiff competition from Zakhele Lepasa, Evidence Makgopa, Kermit Erasmus, and Tshegofatso Mabasa in the Ghosts’ striking department.
Since arriving at Chippa for his second stint, Eva Nga featured in 11 appearances across all competitions and scored four goals.
Meanwhile, Martin left Pirates to join his current employers at the start of the new season following his struggles for game time.
The former Cape Town City FC winger has been key for Chippa after playing 26 matches in all competitions, scoring five goals while providing one assist.
Other players serving suspensions for the midweek league fixtures are Richards Bay FC attacker Sanele Barns, AmaZulu FC duo Abbubaker Mobara and Celimpilo Ngema, while Kaizer Chiefs and TS Galaxy will miss Given Msimango and Orebotse Mongae, respectively.
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