Sekhukhune United coach Brandon Truter described Chippa United as a tricky side to face at the moment, as Babina Noko gear up to face the Chilli Boys at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Saturday afternoon.
Kick-off is at 3:30pm (SA, GMT+2)
Babina Noko will hope to build on from their 2-0 win against Cape Town Spurs in the Nedbank Cup last week, as they face Chippa in their latest league test.
Sekhukhune have been on an inconsistent run of results in their last five games, recording three wins and two losses in all competitions. Also, Sekhukhune have been fluctuating on the DStv Premiership table in recent months and currently occupy 11th place on the table.
As the hosts, Babina Noko last suffered a 1-0 loss against Cape Town City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium as Truter reiterated the need to get back to winning ways on their own pitch.
Speaking ahead of the game, Truter mentioned that he is well aware of the 'new coach bounce' at Chippa United following Kurt Lentjies’s appointment.
"Chippa is a tricky team to play against at this stage,” Truter said.
"They changed coaches recently and the last time they changed coaches with Morgan Mammal coming in they won 4-0.
"So they’ve changed coaches again and they’ve won under Kurt Lentjies, so its a very tough game we expecting at home.
"With our record at home we also want to pick up three points and at home, it's an absolute must, especially in front of our supporters. With their support we have our 12th man and we back ourselves.
"For us it's keeping our record at home intact. For Chippa, tricky customer, tough game but we will put our best foot forward and try to achieve the win and walk away with the three points."
Chippa go into their next game on the back of a 2-0 win against Mpheni Home Defenders in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16. Prior to the cup tie, Chippa went on a run of three consecutive losses in the DStv Premiership, namely against Stellenbosch, Swallows and AmaZulu.
Currently in 13th place on the log, the Port Elizabeth side are just three points from the relegation playoff zone.
As the travelling outfit, Chippa are winless in their last five games on the road. During this period, the Chilli Boys picked up three losses and two stalemates.
Lentjies, who was reinstated as head coach, said that while he is ‘part of the furniture’ at the club, he looks forward to getting to know his side better.
"Obviously the reception is always good,” Lentjies said.
"People would say I am part of the furniture because I have been there (at Chippa) for five years already.
"But it is a bit different, different players, we welcomed each other well, they understand how I work, I understand how they work and we are getting to know each other well."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sekhukhune United:
Sibusiso Vilakazi: ‘Vila’, as he is fondly known, was brought on as a substitute in the club’s recent Nedbank Cup win over Spurs and immediately showcased his class. The skillful attacker is likely to be involved in the upcoming game and will be a classy addition to their attacking department.
Kamohelo Mokotjo: Much like that of Vilakazi, Mokotjo is one of the most experienced players at the club. Mokotjo will be tasked to set Babina Noko’s pace in the middle of the park as he grows in confidence in his new team.
Chippa United:
Roscoe Petersen: Petersen has been an ever present feature in the Chilli Boys backline this season and will likely get the nod against Sekhukhune United. However, the versatile player will have his hands full against a fluid Babina Noko attack line.
Etiosa Ighodaro: The hard-working striker will be key to Chippa United’s attacking movements and will naturally come up against the Sekhukhune centre-back pairing of Edwin Gyimah and Daniel Cardoso. Ighodaro could cause problems in the final third with his selfless running style, while playing off the last defender’s shoulder.