Despite going on a run of three wins in their last five DStv Premiership, Chippa United coach Kwanele Kopo is hoping his side can fare well without a number of his first team stars as the Chilli Boys prepare to take on Moroka Swallows at the Buffalo Municipality Stadium on Wednesday.
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Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM
In looking to finish in the top eight of the league, Chippa United currently occupy ninth spot on the table, one point behind eight- placed Kaizer Chiefs.
The Chilli Boys have been in decent form as of late, recording three wins out of their last five DStv Premiership fixtures.
However, the Eastern-Cape side went into their next game off the back of a 2-1 defeat against AmaZulu in a game that took place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 27 April.
Swallows, on the other hand, recorded just one win in their last five outings.
The Dube Birds last tasted victory in the DStv Premiership on the 31 March, following a 1-0 result against a struggling Cape Town Spurs.
Since then, Swallows went on to record two draws and two losses in the league.
Chippa and Swallows last met in the league back in October, as the two sides shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw at the Dobsonville Stadium.
NEXT MATCH 🔥
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) April 30, 2024
🆚 @Moroka_Swallows
🗓️ 01 May 2024
🏟Buffalo City Staduim
🕞15h00
📺Dstv Stream
🎫 R60 @TicketProSA pic.twitter.com/rs6mKrLWYn
WHAT WAS SAID…
“We lost Malebogo Modise after the TS Galaxy game, we’ve got Kamohelo Mahlatsi out, today we lost Goodman Mosele, we lost Craig Martin,” Chippa United coach Kwanele Kopo said.
“We’ve got yellow cards also, Justice Chabalala got his fourth yellow card. So, he’s suspended for the next game.
“So, it’s a difficult period for us."
“But our focus needs to be on Swallows, we need to get over the hurdle of Swallows and then the players that are available for Pirates, we have to make a plan, we have to devise a plan with those players, we have to devise tactics to be able to win the game."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Chippa United: Bienvenu Eva Nga – While the likes of Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Craig Martin and Elmo Kambindu provided the goals for Chippa this season, Eva Nga’s effort in the final third has not been forgotten.
In coming up against a shaky Swallows backline, Eva Nga’s physicality could cause the travelling side many problems on Wednesday.
Moroka Swallows: Gabadinho Mhango – The Malawian star has been Swallows’ most prolific scorer this season with five goals to his name in the DStv Premiership.
Mhango will thus be trusted to produce the goods and, in turn, help steer his side away from the relegation zone.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
LAST FIVE LEAGUE RESULTS:
2021/22 Chippa United 0-0 Moroka Swallows
2021/22 Moroka Swallows 0-0 Chippa United
2022/23 Moroka Swallows 2-0 Chippa United
2022/23 Chippa United 1-2 Moroka Swallows
2023/24 Moroka Swallows 0-0 Chippa United