Chippa United head coach Thabo September believes their extended travels is doing wonders for morale as they prepare for another away game against TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, February 8.
Kick-off is at 8pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM:
The Chilli Boys last played at home on January 18 when they drew 2-2 with Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership and they have been on the road ever since then.
September's side travelled to Golden Arrows in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 (a 2-1 win), Polokwane City in the league (a 1-0 defeat) and they were forced to stay overnight in Polokwane once more in midweek after a floodlight failure affected their clash with Magesi on Tuesday.
Chippa ended up running out 4-1 victors when the match resumed at midday on Wednesday which arrested a four-game winless streak in the top flight and lifted them up to 11th position, two points outside the top eight.
The Rockets continued their upward trajectory after holding CAF Champions League hopefuls Rise And Shine to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.
Adnan Beganovic has now picked up 17 points out of a possible 28 since taking over the reins from Sead Ramovic and he's yet to taste defeat in nine matches at the helm.
Galaxy, who lost 2-1 to Chippa in the reverse fixture on September 29, are one point better off than the Eastern Cape outfit in 10th position.
WHAT WAS SAID:
Chippa United head coach Thabo September
"We're going to TS Galaxy and have to come back to Kaizer Chiefs for the Nedbank Cup, and then we have to go to Cape Town City, so we're not going to be home.
"It's good when we are on the road, to have the spirit in the group up, so the win gives us that, and it also helps us as a technical team - it was our first win in the league since we started as the new technical team.
"So it gives us also the belief that what we are doing is working, we just need to be patient and build on it, so this victory is really good for the whole group, the club, the players, and the technical staff."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TS Galaxy - The Rockets created numerous chances against Polokwane and Kamogelo Sebelebele should have scored just before halftime after being picked out by Marks Munyai's cross at the back post, but Brian Bwire saved his initial header and did superbly well to deny him at point-blank range on the follow-up. The 22-year-old winger has been a regular fixture in the first team this season, although he's yet to get off the mark in 15 appearances.
Chippa United - Sinoxolo Kwayiba has emerged as an important player for the Chilli Boys this term and his performances finally earned him international recognition when he made his Bafana Bafana debut against Congo on 11 October 2024. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder sparked a fightback against Magesi after he quickly cancelled out Mcedi Vandala's second-minute opener before sealing the 4-1 win with a well-placed header on 66 minutes.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: (Last Five Betway Premiership Meetings)
Matches - 5
Galaxy wins - 2
Chippa wins - 1
Draws - 2