CAPE TOWN – Chippa United coach Sinethemba Badela commended his team’s performance following their 1-1 draw against reigning Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
Khaya Mfecane equalized at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, cancelling out Arthur de Oliveira Sales’s 32nd-minute goal, as both teams settled for a draw.
Badela admitted that his side struggled during the first half, a challenge he hadn’t anticipated going into the match.
“In the first half, we struggled a little bit. We had a plan, and we were expecting [Zuko] Mdunyelwa on the right,” said Badela.
“Very similar to how they played against Richards Bay. So we prepared for that dynamic on the right-hand side. And they gave us a lot of problems because they came in with [Fawaaz] Basadien, which is how they finished the game against Richards Bay.
“They had Basadien coming inside, invading, overloading the centre. With [Arthur de Oliveira] Sales sometimes outside and inside. So the players struggled a little bit.
Badela added that his team quickly learned from their mistakes and successfully shifted their mindset, which led to positive outcomes on the field.
“I would say I’m proud of the players because it’s our first competitive game. And we are a team that is coming together,” he adds.
“We are not fully fit yet, we are not fully together, and we’ve got players that have only joined us last week when we were in Joburg.
“So we are not at our best at the moment, and for us to get a point against the eight-time league defending champions is a big one. But I don’t like to celebrate draws because once you start to celebrate draws, then in the next match the players become complacent. And from a draw it becomes a loss.”
Image: @ChippaUnitedFC/ Twitter.
