September says PSL top-eight ‘definitely’ possible for Chippa United despite Sundowns defeat

Chippa United missed a golden opportunity to strengthen their push for a top-eight finish after suffering a costly 3-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night – a result that now leaves the door wide open for rival teams chasing MTN8 qualification next season.

The Chilli Boys were second best for most of the encounter, and the heavy loss could prove damaging in a tight race for the final Premiership top-eight spots, where goal difference may ultimately separate the contenders.

With little time to reflect, the Gqeberha-based side will have to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Sundowns again in just over a week in the reverse fixture. 

Now without a win in five matches, Chippa find themselves under growing pressure with just two games remaining.

Coach Thabo September, who has seen his team collect only two points from their last five league outings, admitted after the match that errors from his side played a major role in the defeat to a clinical Brazilians side.

“In the first half, we had good structure,” September told the media.

“We knew we were not going to have much of the ball at some moments, so we needed to be disciplined, and we followed that.

“The moments that we lacked that, Sundowns gave us a warning and almost scored from it, and when we made another mistake, they punished us.

“We didn’t have a shot at goal in the first half, but we did have an opportunity that could have been a goal.

“In the second half with the changes, I think there was better energy, changing the shape and going with four at the back.

“We started pressing higher and creating chances, but again, there was a mistake and Sundowns punished us.”

Chippa hasn’t reached the top eight since the 2015/16 season, but currently sitting in eighth place – level on points (30) with Kaizer Chiefs and Marumo Gallants, but ahead on goal difference – this could be their best opportunity in nearly a decade to break through.

September has had to contend with the absence of dynamic Orlando Pirates loanee Siphelo Baloni, who has been sidelined with injury.

“During the time he was fit, he did well for the club, and one of the reasons we managed to get out of relegation was because of players like him,” the coach said.

“We have managed to get out of that situation with four to five games to go and not really talk about relegation; he helped us a lot.”

September praised the balance within his squad and the impact made by the younger players during the second half of the campaign.

“We have a good group of young and older players. The way the younger players came in, in the second part of the season was really motivating and encouraging for us as a technical team and the football club,” he said.

“We just need to beef up and go into the market and get better quality if we want to have a good season in the next campaign.”

The 42-year-old also touched on his future at the club, and the side’s push for a top-eight finish in their remaining matches.

“There hasn’t been any discussion about my contract yet. It ends soon, but there’s a two-year option,” September explained. 

“The signs point to me staying, but we’ve not had a proper sit-down to talk about it.

“We’ve got two matches left. If we can collect four points from those, I believe making the top eight is definitely possible.”