Chippa delight at first points of the season

Chippa United coach Kwanele Kopo felt his side got their tactics right as they edged Richards Bay 1-0 in the Betway Premiership in East London on Saturday as they took their first points of the new season.

An own goal from Thabiso Kutumela six minutes before halftime ensured Chippa got a victory in their second game after suffering a narrow defeat in their opening match on Wednesday away against Orlando Pirates.

“I think the performance was as we planned. We knew how Richards Bay were going to press our build-up,” Kopo explained.

“And we had our left back inverting in this game to create the block in the midfield. And it worked out well in the first half. I felt that we were very dominant in possession. We had very dominant in terms of territory over the field, but because Richards Bay defend very narrow, and with the four right in front of the box, it was always going to be difficult to penetrate through combinations, so we needed to go wide, and we used the left-hand side more for that.

“We knew a goal was going to come from either a cross or a set piece, based on how they defend. And it was good that we scored.

“In the second half, we made some changes. And then later in the game, we got pressed and it was understandable, because we played Pirates on Wednesday. The field was also heavy for us. Richards Bay had seven days to prepare for this game. We've had one day, but we're happy with the result. It was a must win for us. I said to the guys, if we come in at halftime, and the score is still 0-0, we're going to stop playing possession football. We'll play route one. I felt they responded well. Under the wet conditions, and also having played on Wednesday, I’m very proud of the team,” Kopo added.