Chippa United need to start games at a quicker pace if they are to improve their fortunes this season, admitted coach Brandon Truter after an early goal conceded to Lamontville Golden Arrows saw them go on and be eliminated from the Carling Knockout Cup on Saturday.
Arrows’ top scorer Sede Dion headed home from a 10th-minute corner to put the home side ahead at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, before they went on to a comfortable 4–0 victory to advance in the competition.
“It’s a second game that we have been slow out of the blocks,” admitted Truter.
“We have to revisit the loading of the players; I’ve already been discussing with the fitness trainer. First it was the Kruger (United) game and this game now.”
Chippa lost their last league match at home to newly promoted Kruger United on 17 October at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
“So we really need to revisit our loading and now we do our recovery as well. Against Kruger, we started very slow. And that's what kept them in the game,” he said of Chippa’s 1–0 home loss.
“Now against Arrows as well, we started very slow and they scored in the 10th minute. So it's something we need to look at.
“But all our other games, against Sundowns, Pirates, Galaxy, it was quick, we were out the blocks very quickly and put on the pressure, and that sets the tone for the whole game. And that's why Arrows beat us although in the second half, it was a better performance, but by then the score was already 2–0 to them.”