Chippa look to burst Magesi's bubble

Chippa United will be looking to silence Magesi FC when the two teams meet in a Betway Premiership match at the Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 8:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Chilli Boys are now winless in their last two matches after drawing 0-0 with SuperSport United at home on Tuesday and the Eastern Cape side's other game ended in a draw.

Chippa are occupying the fifth spot in the Betway Premiership standings with 11 points from eight matches and a victory over Magesi would elevate Chippa to the third spot if the other results go their way.

Magesi, on the other hand, extended their unbeaten run to eight matches when they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the Carling Knockout final last weekend, having registered five wins and three draws.

Dikwena Tsa Meetse are sitting on the 12th spot in the Betway Premiership standings with six points from six matches and a win over Chippa would see the Limpopo side move further away from the relegation zone.

TEAM NEWS

Chippa United have no suspension worries coming into this match and they are yet to report injuries in their camp.

Meanwhile, Magesi will be without the suspended Tshepo Kakora, while Gift Motupa remains sidelined by an injury.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Chippa United head coach Kwanele Kopo

“We are facing a completely different opponent. Different style, SuperSport played on the front foot. Magesi plays on the counterattack," Kopo said.

"We've looked at a couple of their games and we will look at our performance today [Tuesday] playing against SuperSport, but Magesi are the kind of team that you cannot afford to lose the ball carelessly because they will punish you on the counter-attack that's the first thing.

“They are physical, similar to SuperSport in terms of their approach, but their game dominantly in the last couple of matches has been played on counterattack. So, ball retention becomes important for us, counter-pressing becomes important for us and our rest-defence is going to become important."

Magesi FC head coach Clinton Larsen

"I've said it before, I'm so hard on them and sometimes I feel bad for them because I understand they are not the most talented group," Larsen said.

"So, I've gotta try as a coach to squeeze every bit of potential, every bit of energy out of them in order for us to be competitive and that's what they keep giving, week in, week out. Based on the second-half performance, it was a deserved two goals we scored and once again.

"Elvis (Chipezeze) had not as many saves to make as the Richards Bay game but he dealt comfortably with what was thrown at him tonight. The players deserve all the credit for what they've achieved against all odds."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bienvenu Eva Nga, Chippa United: The experienced striker, who is the Chilli Boys' joint-top scorer in the league having scored twice this season, he will be determined to terrorize the Magesi defence and inspire his side to a much-needed victory.

Edmore Chirambadare, Magesi FC: The left-footed winger, who has scored against Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns this season, grabbed an assist against Mamelodi Sundowns, and he could be the player to propel Dikwena Tsa Meetse to a win in East London.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

N/A – This will be the first competitive meeting of Chippa United and Magesi FC.