Former Kaizer Chiefs attacker Fani Madida has dug deep into the source of problems he believes are bedevling Betway Premiership strugglers Chippa United.
The relegation-haunted Gqeberha outfit anchors the PSL table with nine points from 15 games. They resume their PSL campaign against the backdrop of a 10-match winless run that includes nine league games and a Carling Knockout outing.
It is a season the Chilli Boys owner Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi has already axed two coaches, Sinethemba Badela and Luc Eymael. That leaves Vusumuzi Vilakazi in charge, facing a tough battle to save Chippa from demotion.
They have 15 games left to rescue their season and maintain their PSL status. There is also the Nedbank Cup to play for and hand themselves a boost in a difficult term.
MADIDA IDENTIFIES CHIPPA’S BIGGEST PROBLEM
“Whatever is happening at Chippa is self-inflicted. It’s a crisis brought about by the owner. We all know that Chippa [Mpengesi] is the biggest problem himself,” Madida told FARPost.
“It starts with coaching. You go into pre-season for six weeks, planning to compete when the league starts. You have plans and then the league starts, every team starting from a clean slate.
“In each game you expect that there will be a draw, a loss and a win. The league has 30 games and Cup competitions in between.
“Then all of a sudden after four games you are not comfortable with the coach who started preseason with the team. You are interfering, you are preparing to fail.
“Changing things midstream all of a sudden and you think things will go your way? You are not supposed to be in football. It’s a game of patience, so try to be a bit patient with your coaches.
“Just look at the number of coaches they have had in the last five years. I’m trying to be polite here by just mentioning the last five years.
“What they have been doing only escalates their problems. They will struggle further. Trying for instant success is maybe the solution to survive relegation.”
MADIDA NAMES CLUBS SITTING IN THE SAME BOAT WITH CHIPPA
The Chiefs great feels there is little that separates the Chilli Boys with some of their fellow strugglers.
“Magesi survived [relegation last season] because of Owen da Gama and all of a sudden they kick him out. Just follow all those teams and you will see some similarities,” Madida said.
“Durban City are like Chippa United, they change the coach all of a sudden when they are doing well. That was not necessary.
“Siwelele need to be consistent. But just like Chippa, their problems are self-inflicted as well.”
The former Bafana Bafana star further scrutinises PSL teams he considers not title contenders, but views them as ending with a decent campaign.
”Orbit College are new to this league and fighting against relegation, but you can see that the vision is there. Their coach is still there, they trust him,” continued Madida.
“At AmaZulu, there is progress. Stellenbosch just need to strengthen their squad since CAF [Confederation Cup] is taking a toll on them, plus losing players and now they have changed the coach.
“But you understand situations like that. I can tell you that Stelllies will be fighting for top eight. They have a solid structure, a hard worker in coach [Gavin] Hunt. A Cape Town guy, they will play the way Cape Town teams play.”
THE BATTLE FOR TOP EIGHT HEATS UP
“Then, TS Galaxy are not gelling because they sold some of their best players and brought new players taking time to adapt. But they will fight for top eight,” the Amakhosi legend went on.
“Marumo Gallants need to work harder. You can’t survive by playing draws, but it looks like they know what they are doing.
“Sekhukhune started well, [Eric] Tinkler has been around for a long time. He has a lifespan at teams wherever he goes, he lasts. You know some coaches reach their sell-by date after so many seasons.
“I give a top four or top five for Sekhukhune, they deserve to be there. Tikler has a good head and he knows how to use his players.”
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