It's Done - Seema on Leaving Chippa.

You don't go to Chippa United and expect to get comfortable and stay, and Lehlohonolo Seema knew that, which is why I believe he traveled to Gqeberha with just a backpack packed with simple essentials, no huge luggage bags.

As he says, it is done, Lehlohonolo Seema has left Chippa United after just four matches in charge.

Seema, took over a Chippa that was firmly on the clutches of relegation's claws, saving them on the last day of the DStv Premiership.

But, it appears, Chippa Mpengesi has decided that his saviour is not good enough to lead his club next season.

"It’s done, it was a call for four games, he told me he won’t continue with me, he has another plan, so yeah, I’m jobless as we speak," Seema told iDiski Times.https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/official-chippa-make-decision-on-coach/

"Hopefully the next team can provide an opportunity for a whole season and I can push myself again, but definitely not continuing with Chippa, spoke to the Chairman and he indicated he won’t be continuing with me for next season."

Somewhere out there, Mpengesi is busy searching for his next victim, another coach to shoot down.

While a poor coach, knowingly, which is ironic, is just about to step right into the line of fire.

Who wants to coach Chippa United nowadays, I do not know. But I hope it is not Morgan Mammila, he can't possibly ruin a good thing he is having with Musa Nyatama at Swallows FC, and go back into the firing line.

Chippa Survives, Maritzburg hang on, as I eat humble pie.

I was convinced, that the best Chippa United could do was to survive relegation through the play-offs.  Nothing, and no one, would have convinced me otherwise. 

But this afternoon, football proved me wrong, as Chippa United players hoisted their Chairman, Chippa Mpengesi on the air, celebrating their survival. 

Football proved me wrong just as it did when it comes to Maritzburg United. 

In my football world,  Maritzburg were as good as relegated, though their draw against Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday planted a seed of doubt in my mind on their imminent relegation. 

The rumors of the alleged unrest in the Marumo Gallants camp because of the CAF Confederations Cup bonuses the players felt they deserved for reaching the semi-finals left me with a dilemma, will they be able to fully apply themselves against a rampant Swallows to survive relegation? 

I got my answer when instead of a Maritzburg that was as good as dead to me, Marumo Gallants, that of a fairy tale run in Africa, got relegated, while Maritzburg will have another survival chance in the play-offs. 

None of what happened this afternoon was part of my script for this weekend's Dstv Premiership finale, absolutely none. 

As I sit here, munching on my humble pie, the taste of it makes me think of one Kgoloko Thobejane's famous words, "Football, can kill you a real death."

I am not dead, but my predictions are. 

Ngcobo's performance against Chippa was a statement.

When Kaizer Chiefs beat Chippa United 1-0 on Thursday afternoon at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the Njabulo Ngcobo they signed from Swallows showed up.

Ngcobo was tipped for big things when he joined Amakhosi, he was expected to become the rock in the center of their defence, and eventually move on to do the same for the Bafana Bafana.

But things didn't go according to the script for the 28-year-old Folweni born defender.

His performances for Chiefs have been inconsistent, and sometimes downright poor, which has led to him spending most of his stay at Naturena on the bench.

The former uThongathi FC and Swallows defender, has appeared only 12 times for Chiefs this season.

And this has been a season where Amakhosi needed their best defenders to stand up, with their defence, especially at center-back, in shambles.

Chiefs have been conceding some silly goals, something that has been a huge let down, costing them a better position on the log.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/xoki-back-doubts-over-lorch.html?m=1

To remedy the situation, they have swiftly moved to sign Thatayaone Ditlhokwe from SuperSport United, and Given Msimango from TS Galaxy.

With those signings, Ngcobo was one of the players who was alleged to be on his way out, along side the likes of Eric Mathoho.

But on Thursday, Ngcobo marshalled the Chiefs defence with aplomb, keeping things simple and playing with the confidence we saw him playing with at Swallows.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/playing-swallows-before-derby-worries.html?m=1

His impressive display looked more like a statement, to say, I am good enough and I want to stay and fight for my place at Naturena.

Du Preez the hero as Chiefs beat Chippa.

Kaizer Chiefs got back to winning ways after beating Chippa United 1-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

It was the rejuvenated Ashley Du Preez who ensured Amakhosi walked away with all the three points with a stunning curler in the 72nd minute.

Chiefs, as it has become the norm, looked a better side from the beginning as they took control of the proceedings.

They enjoyed a lot of the ball, averaging 52% possession, although it did not yield enough goal scoring opportunities.

Chiefs managed 14 goal attempts on the day, slightly below their average, which might have been the result of changes in the starting line up, with Happy Mashiane starting in place of the injured Keagan Dolly, who is usually the protagonist when it comes to creating chances.

From their 14 attempts, Chiefs managed to put four on target, one being that Du Preez stunner.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/hire-qualified-coaches-instead-of.html?m=1

Chippa, who spent most parts of the game under pressure, didn't have much action in front of the Amakhosi goal.

They managed only six goal attempts, with only two on target from their 48% share of the ball.

It wasn't surprising that Chippa failed to threaten Amakhosi's goal, as it has been their Achilles heel this season. They just struggle to create enough quality scoring opportunities.

Chiefs will now turn their attention to Monday 01 May, where they will host Swallows FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium, with the kick-off at 15:00.

As for Chippa, they will be hoping struggling Richards Bay doesn't rediscover their form when the two sides clash on Wednesday 03 May, at King Zwelithini Stadium, Durban. 

Chippa can be easy prey, but so is Chiefs.

Chippa United will host Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday 27 April [Tomorrow] at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, with the match kicking off at 15:00.

With relegation having a tight grip on their neck, Chippa will want nothing less than three points to increase their chances of survival.

On the other hand, Chiefs have not given up on their target, which is the Caf Champions League spot, despite losing to Sekhukhune United in their previous encounter, a loss that saw them falling six points behind second placed SuperSport United.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/from-comparisons-with-saleng-to-verge.html?m=1

In a layman's eyes, Chippa should have no hope of beating Amakhosi.

They have lost three of their last five Dstv premiership games, drawing two.

Their defence has been leaking goals, with nine in five league games, while they can't find the back of the net, having scored just three goals.

To make matters worse, they are not even a side that creates valuable goalscoring opportunities, with an average xGF [expected goals for] of 0.76 per match, while they give away good scoring chances to opponents like Father Christmas, with an xGA [expected goals against] of 1.45 per game.

Their opponents, Chiefs, know how to create chances, with an average xGF of 1.73 per match.

One would think Chippa are in huge trouble, but the thing with Chiefs is that they just can't seem to score goals.

Their chance conversion rate stands at 9%, something that should be frustrating to their head coach, Arthur Zwane.

On top of their poor goalscoring form, Chiefs struggle with consistency.

Having gone on an impressive four match winning run in the league, Chiefs went on to draw 1-1 against Marumo Gallants on the 8th of April, followed by a 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune recently.

Come Thursday, one can not know which Chiefs to expect.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/suddenly-joining-sundowns-no-longer.html?m=1

In a nutshell, a betting man may place their bet on a Chiefs win against Chippa, but not with their savings, because Amakhosi always find a way to disappoint.

A risk taker might go for Chippa, a team motivated by their plight with relegation, this is football, anything is almost possible.

*Stats source: footystats.org

Maritzburg United to be relegated, Chippa United for the play-offs.

                 Image: Twitter

With five matches to go in the Dstv Premiership, Swallows FC, Marumo Gallants, Chippa United, and Maritzburg United, are involved in a fierce relegation dogfight.

Looking at the statistics of the four relegation candidates, somehow took me back to the famous Animal Farm by George Orwell, and a quote from the book, which reads, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

What does that particular quote have to do with the relegation battle and the four teams? One may ask.

Well, here is the answer, according to statistics from FootyStats, all four teams are relegation candidates, but some are more in danger than others!

While Swallows and Gallants are a little bit on the safe side, it doesn't rain, but pours for Chippa and Maritzburg.

Here is why....

Average goals scored per match:

When it comes to this metric, Chippa United have are better than the other three teams, they average 1.00 goals scored per match.

But as the other numbers will reveal later in the article, their goals conceded average puts them in danger, which is why they can not read much into this.

They are followed by Marumo Gallants, who average 0.88 goals scored per match.

Swallows are third with 0.80, while Maritzburg United are rock bottom with 0.76.

Rankings:

1) Chippa United = 1.00

2) Marumo Gallants = 0.88

3) Swallows FC = 0.80

4) Maritzburg United = 0.76

Average goals conceded per match:

Gallants concede less goals per match than the other three, their average is 1.08.

They are followed by Swallows, with 1.16.

Chippa are third with an average of 1.36, while Maritzburg, again, are last with a poor 1.40.

Rankings: 

1) Maritzburg United = 1.40

2) Chippa United = 1.36

3) Swallows FC = 1.16

4) Marumo Gallants = 1.08

Now it is beginning to get interesting!

Average xGF (expected goals for) per match:

When it comes to creating good goal scoring opportunities, it is Gallants who are ahead of the other three, they average an xGF of 1.31, which means they do create chances, with an average of 8.95 shots taken per game.

What has let them down is their inability to convert their opportunities/shots, into goals, with a conversion rate of 11%. This is something they are improving on though.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/lentjies-chippa-united-demotion-could.html?m=1

Following behind Marumo is Maritzburg United, their xGF is 1.24, which is okay, they take an average of 8.48 shots per game, again, which is okay, but the anti climax is their shot conversion rate, which is the poorest amongst the four relegation candidates, at 9%. They just can't find the back of the net, no goals, no wins!

Swallows are third with an xGF of 1.04, averaging 8.36 shots per match, and a conversion rate of 10%.

The worst side when it comes to this metric is Chippa United.

Their xGF is a poor 0.78, they average 6.79 shots taken per match, which is a red flag, but their shot conversion rate has been their saving grace, with 14%. Otherwise they would have been bottom of the log already.

Rankings:

1) Marumo Gallants = 1.31

2) Maritzburg United = 1.24

3) Swallows FC = 1.04

4) Chippa United = 0.78

Average xGA ( expected goals against):

When it comes to giving away good chances to opponents, Maritzburg United are the biggest culprits, with an average of 1.65.

This simple means the Team of Choice can't defend to save their lives, and it is not a surprise that they are bottom of the table, poor defending equals losing games, period.

Behind Maritburg is Chippa, with an xGA of 1.47, while Swallows are third with 1.35, and Marumo with 1.22.

Rankings:

1) Maritzburg United = 1.65

2) Chippa United = 1.47

3) Swallows FC = 1.35

4) Marumo Gallants = 1.22

What does the form guide say, who is winning?

According to how the four teams have performed in their last five matches, things look promising for Marumo.

Here is how they stand:

1) Marumo Gallants = WDDWD [9]

2) Swallows FC = WLLWD [7]

3) Maritzburg United = LLLWL [3]

4) Chippa United = LLDDL [2]

In a Nutshell:

Maritzburg's number scream relegation!

They have lost four of their last five matches, they can't defend, and they definitely can't score goals, despite creating good chances.

Chippa must prepare for the play-offs, thoroughly!! Marumo are coming for them at a Gautrain speed.

As for Swallows and Marumo, making plans for next season in the Dstv Premiership might be advisable, to avoid similar fate.

But as one wise coach-cum-philosopher, Steve Komphela once said, statistics are like a bikini, they do not reveal everything!

In that case, we may have to expect the unexpected.

Lentjies' Chippa United demotion could be a blessing in disguise.

Former Chippa United head coach, Kurt Lentjies, who has been demoted to the DDC side. Image: Twitter

Trigger happy Chippa United boss, Chippa Mpengesi, has struck again by demoting Kurt Lentjies to the Dstv Diski Challenge team.

Lentjies took charge of four matches in the Dstv Premiership, drawing two and losing two.

With the state the club is in, perhaps Lentjies should look at his redeployment as a blessing in disguise, Chippa are strong candidates for relegation, and he wouldn't want his name to be associated with relegating Mpengesi's pride and joy.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns player, who finished his playing career with the Chilli Boys, was on his second spell as a coach at Chippa United, having occupied the most unsafe seat in the league before Daine Klate took over.

He is the third coach to fall victim to Mpengesi's trigger happy happy tendencies this season, with Klate and Morgan Mammila on the same boat.

Long time assistant coach at the Chilli Boys, Siviwe Gwambi will take charge of the relegation threatened side until the end of the season.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/mammila-effect-working-at-swallows.html?m=1

"Chippa United Football Club would like to announce that Kurt Lentjies has been redeployed to head up our DSTV Diski Challenge Team," read the club statement.

"Siyabulela Gwambi has been appointed interim coach for remainder of the season.

"Gwambi has been a loyal servant of the club having acquired his CAF License A coaching credentials Club Chairman, Mr. Siviwe Mpengesi has called upon all Chilli Boys faithfuls to rally behind the Gqeberha born native and his charges as they look for positive results."

The Chilli Boys are 14th on the log table, with 26 points from 25 matches.

They next play Marumo Gallants away on the 12th of April, where a loss will see them drop deeper into the relegation zone.

After Gallants, they will have Kaizer Chiefs to deal with. 

Kabelo Dlamini: Why he is key for Orlando Pirates.

Orlando Pirates attacking midfielder, Kabelo Dlamini. Image: Twitter

Kabelo Dlamini is not a favorite of many an Orlando Pirates fan, but he is slowly repaying Jose Riveiro's faith in him.

In Saturday afternoon's 2-0 win over Chippa United, Dlamini scored his Pirates' first goal to open his account for this season.

Before yesterday's goal, the attacking midfielder had contributed in five league goals for Amabhakaniya, through assists, with one of them coming last weekend in Pirates' 2-0 win over Richards Bay.

Dlamini, who by all means is not your typical Pirates number 10, with his lack of charisma and flamboyance you would find in a Thembinkosi Lorch for an example, has been a subject of many unhappy conversations amongst Amabhakaniya's faithful, with some questioning his continued presence in the Pirates line up.

In fact, when Lorch came back from his long injury layoff, he was expected to be the one to replace Dlamini in the Pirates line up.

But as he has shown, Dlamini is just irreplaceable.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/pirates-back-to-second-spot-after.html?m=1

He has appeared 24 times across all competitions for Bucs.

Maybe the answer as to why he is continually selected lies in his goal against Chippa and his assist against Richards bay.

Last weekend against the Natal Rich Boyz, Dlamini drifted to the right outside channel from his usual central position to create an overload, a decision that saw him received the ball with a lot of space to maneuver.

He then delivered a pin point cross that was directed into the back of the net.

Against Chippa on Saturday, Dlamini's perfectly timed run landed him on the edge of the six yard box, where he calmly slotted home a Monnapule Saleng cut back pass.

The common denominator in both the above incidents is the good decision making behind them, as well as the execution.

In short, Dlamini's football brain, which doesn't scream for attention, his excellent tactical/technical abilities, as well as his work rate, have been the major contributors in his constant presence in Jose Riveiro team.

In a nutshell, Dlamini might not be your typical Pirates number 10, but his work in the final third, without making the headlines, is what Riveiro keeps giving him more playing opportunities for, he is efficient.

Riveiro on Dlamini:

"Absolutely, we have a lot of quality in our front department," he told SuperSport TV as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/riveiro-people-dont-realise-how-important-he-is/

"I’m not going to discover Lorch, now with Dlamini people sometimes don’t realise how important he is for us, how much he helps us in our build-up process.

"I’m so happy for the boy because today he managed to get one goal and it’s going to be very important for him for the future."

Pirates back to second spot after beating Chippa 2-0.

Orlando Pirates crowd favorite, Thembinkosi Lorch. Image: Twitter

Orlando Pirates made it four Dstv Premiership wins in a row when they beat Chippa United 2-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Kabelo Dlamini, who scored from close range following a Monnapule Saleng cut back in the 20th minute, and crowd favorite, Thembinkosi Lorch who showed his experience with a calm finish after beating Chippa's offside trap in the 38th minute, were enough to see Pirates grab the all-important three points which moved them back to the second spot on superior goal difference over third placed SuperSport United.

In what was not their vintage performance, despite controlling possession of the ball with 57%, it was a combination of hunger, superior quality, and a bit of efficiency that won the game for Amabhakaniya.

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There wasn't a lot of goal mouth action in Gqeberha for Bucs as we have come to know them, but from their five goal attempts, they managed to get three on target, with two ending up in the back of the net.

The 2-0 win means Pirates have now scored nine goals, with just one conceded in their last four league games.

It is their ability to keep clean sheets that will help in with their positive goal difference column, something that might play a role in determining who gets the Caf Champions League spot come the end of the season, with the race expected to go down to the wire.

Pirates' next league game will be against Cape Town City on Saturday 22 April at Orlando Stadium.

No Chippa formed against Pirates shall prosper!

Orlando Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro, and his star forward, Monnapule Saleng. Image: Twitter

Chippa United will host Orlando Pirates at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, on Saturday 8 April. Kickoff is at 17:30.

Both teams will be looking to come away with three points from the encounter, with Chippa trying to get away from the relegation zone, while Pirates will want to stay second on the log.

The Chillie Boys are only three points away from the automatic relegation spot.

But nothing in their recent performances suggests they have what it takes to win against Amabhakaniya, who are on a mission to qualify for the Caf Champions League.

In their last five matches, Chippa have drawn two and lost three.

The fact that they are prone to conceding goals, having conceded eight in their last five games, puts them in an awkward position, especially when facing a Pirates side that can create opportunities, and as they have shown lately, score goals.

But the worst part about Chippa, is their inability to create enough good scoring opportunities, their expected goals average per match in the league is a poor 0.78.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/mamkhize-sets-her-sights-on-improving.html?m=1

Their poor xGF average is reflected perfectly in the number of goals they have scored in their last five matches, which is just four.

Taking into consideration Chippa's poor performances in the final third, and the fact that Amabhakaniya are not a side that gives much away at the back, averaging 0.71 goals conceded per match, it is hard to see where a Chippa victory can come from in this encounter.

Numbers and current form point to a Pirates victory in this encounter, as they look to cement second spot on the log.

No Chippa formed against Pirates shall prosper.