Chippa United head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi has made a bold claim about the club’s situation, stating that the Chilli Boys “will never go down” to the second division.
The Gqeberha-based side suffered a 2-0 defeat against Orlando Pirates in the league at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night. Chippa’s loss against the Buccaneers saw them fall deeper into the relegation zone, increasing their chances of dropping to the Motsepe Foundation Championship come the end of the season.
In the current campaign, Chippa have struggled for form, leading them to change coaches three times in a space of four months. Chippa started the season with Sinethemba Badela in charge of the club before his axing only two matches into the new season.
Musa Nyatama came in on an interim basis, but he also lasted a few weeks in the job as the team settled for Luc Eymael. The former Polokwane City FC and Free State Stars mentor struggled to turn the fortunes around at Chippa, prompting the club to wield the axe on him.
The Eastern Cape outfit currently has Vilakazi at the helm, and he has a big task ahead of him to help the club avoid relegation. Chippa are occupying the bottom position on the log with seven points after winning only one game, drawing four, and losing on eight occasions in 13 league matches.
WHAT VILAKAZI SAID ABOUT CHIPPA’S RELEGATION FIGHT
Despite the current form, Vilakazi says Chippa will never suffer relegation from the SA top-flight based on the potential that is within the squad.
“I know that it’s unfortunate that I always come to teams that are fighting relegation and they expect me to make miracles,” Vilakazi said. “But what I can say is what I said when I came to Chippa, and I said that Chippa will never go down, they will never be relegated.
“The reason I’m saying that is because of the potential that is there in these players, and obviously, we need to align a few areas in terms of psychological and believing in themselves.
“We have good youngsters, and with such performances [against Pirates], hard work, and commitment, I strongly believe we’ll do wonders and save this team.”
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