Relegation-threatened Chippa United coach Luc Eymael is counting on his troops to unleash their fighting power when they play against Marumo Gallants on Sunday.
The Betway Premiership fixture takes place at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Bloemfontein (3.30pm).
“Sunday will be a difficult game against Gallants,” Eymael said.
“However, we need the points. The players need to fight for the badge, [against] relegation, and for their careers as well, because this is their career.
“We have been working very hard at scoring, and unfortunately, the coach can’t score for his players. Also, we need some luck.
“When I got here, they had only one point. Then we collected three points against Orbit and the one point against Sekhukhune United, the Stellenbosch match.
“I believe we deserved three points there, but I do not want to go back to that game.”
Chippa are rock-bottom on the log with just six points from nine matches.
Their last league fixture result was a goalless draw against Stellenbosch before they went down 4-1 to Richards Bay in the Carling Knockout competition.
The defeat marked Eymael’s third loss since taking charge of the Gqeberha side. The Belgian has secured just one win in the six games he has managed the team.
With a trigger-happy boss in Siviwe Mpengesi, who is driven by results, Eymael needs to start bringing in three points before his employer runs out of patience.
He is the fourth coach at the helm of the club after just nine matches into the new season.
When asked if Chippa’s position on the log gave him sleepless nights, the coach replied: “No, but yes, I struggled a little bit to sleep after the Richards Bay game, but now I am OK.
“We have to fight against relegation, we have to fight for the points, we have to fight [for the] badge and the club.
“And for me, this is my comeback in South African football, so of course I want to do well.
“But we have to be realistic, I knew coming here it would be tough because I am coming to a team that is at the bottom.
“I told myself I would give 200% effort to repay the faith that the chair has shown towards me.”
Chippa United could play without one of their key players, Justice Figuareido, who was injured during Eswatini’s World Cup qualifier against Angola.
This weekend’s fixtures are:
Friday: Richards Bay vs Orbit College, 7.30pm
Saturday: AmaZulu vs Durban City, 3.30pm; Magesi FC vs TS Galaxy, 5.30pm
Sunday: Marumo Gallants vs Chippa United, 3.30pm
The Herald
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