Chippa United are on tenterhooks over the availability of veteran midfielder Andile Jali for their Betway Premiership match against Richards Bay at the Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday (8pm).
Jali scored an impressive goal reminiscent of his younger days in Chippa’s 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in their league opener at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, before being replaced in the second half due to a hamstring injury.
Richards Bay play a similar formation to Pirates and Chippa head coach Kwanele Kopo said they remained anxious about Jali’s health as he could prove decisive for them against the Natal Rich Boys.
The 34-year-old was crucial for Chippa in the build-up play, breaking the Pirates attack and bossing the midfield to prevent his former team from playing their usual possession-based football.
Kopo said though Jali was not fully fit, they decided to play for at least 60 minutes due to issues in central midfield.
He said Jali’s presence helped the team to be more alert and boosted the morale of the young players.
Whether Jali will be available for the Chilli Boys’ first home game of the season depends on the outcome of assessments on Thursday and Friday.
But Kopo said they had a backup player in Siphelo Baloni, who is on loan from the Buccaneers, to play the role.
Baloni sat out the Pirates game due to a clause in his loan deal prohibiting him from facing his parent side.
Chippa landed in a rainy and cold East London on Thursday straight from Johannesburg.
“We have to see if Jali is available with this hamstring injury,” Kopo said.
“We’ve got Baloni who had to sit out the game because he’s on loan.
“We have a few young stars in Sifiso Mazibuko joining us in East London as well as Samkelo Jali.
“We have to assess the players. There will be one or two changes in the team — we have already had that discussion because we have four games in 10 days.
“And with Chippa not having had a competitive preseason, if we play the same lineup in the four games, we not going to last in every game.
“Tactically as well, we will have to change,” the coach said.
“We had different tactics for Pirates because they play a 4-3-3 system.
“Richards Bay play 4-3-3 as well but drop to a 4-4-2 diamond formation so it’s a different kettle of fish with different quality of players,” he said.
It will be the first time Richards Bay travel to East London for a PSL league fixture.
They won their first league game 1-0 against TS Galaxy at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
Afterwards their coach, Brandon Truter, made it clear he wanted his side to build on that victory and that they were eyeing back-to-back wins.
“The structure is good ... clean sheet in our first game.
“So, we have to build on this going forward and I’m happy with what I’m seeing now.
“There is much to look forward to here,” Truter said.
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