Chippa United head coach Morgan Mammila has revealed how they want to play as a team following a positive start to the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season.
Mammila says he is proud of his players and the fight they showed despite losing 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a DStv Premiership clash on Saturday night. It came after a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates and a goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs. On Saturday, Aubrey Modiba opened the scoring before Justice Chabalala of Chippa conceded an own goal as Sundowns made it four wins in a row in the league this season.
The defeat was Chippa’s first of the new season following three consecutive draws in the league. According to Chippa coach Morgan Mammila, the final scoreline at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is not a true reflection of the game.
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The outspoken coach claimed that his side was all over the Premiership defending champions Sundowns and dominated the game. Chippa United had seven shots at goal, three on target and had only 32 per cent of ball possession.
On the other hand, Sundowns enjoyed 68 per cent of the ball with seven goals at goal and four on target, two of which were goals.
MAMMILA SAYS CHIPPA DOMINATED SUNDOWNS
“One thing for sure is that we gave it our all, credit to my boys because they played according to instructions,” Mammila said on SuperSport TV. “We wanted Sundowns not to dominate from the first five to ten minutes, and we did that. They couldn’t even combine five passes together because we were all over them. “And as I said, we not a defensive team; we press from the top, and I said before the match that the only difference between us and Sundowns is that they are clinical.
“With us, it’s still a work in progress, and it’s my job as a coach to make sure that the players pass the back of the net. “We arrived in their box, and goalkeeper [Ronwen Williams] made a save. We could have scored with Ronaldo Maarman and [Augustine] Mulenga getting one-on-one with the keeper. “They could not create so many chances and lack of concentration, two crosses and they get two goals. It wasn’t that bad, but one thing for sure, we gave it our all, and we can build from here.”