Chippa United coach Morgan Mammila has insisted Kaizer Chiefs don’t have better players than his side and Amakhosi were lucky to come away with a draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Chilli Boys held Molefi Ntseki’s side to a goalless draw in both side’s opening league game of the 2023/24 season.
After the match, Mammila stated Chiefs can have a massive following when it comes to fans, as was evidence at the 2010 World Cup venue, but they are on equal footing on the pitch.
“Playing against a team of Kaizer Chiefs’ calibre, rich history, everything that they do is out there, we can all see,” said Mammila.
“I’m not advertising them, that is who they are. But I came here with my soldiers. I told them that Kaizer Chiefs has a huge history but player-wise, we are equal, they are not better than us when it comes to the players.
“We have to showcase Chiefs’ players that they are playing for a big team but they are not bigger than us. Chiefs did not have even one shot on target and you guys can check – 50, 60, 70 [in ball possession] but why [didn’t make use of that?], they were playing against a good team.
“We created so many chances and we should have buried some of them.”
Mammila has beaten Chiefs twice last season, first with the Chippa on 15 October 2022. But he was sacked in February this year and then joined Moroka Swallows. He joined caretaker coach Musa Nyatama on the bench after being appointed as Technical Advisor and the duo beat Chiefs at Peter Mokaba Stadium, in their other alternative venue.
“Why? You like me talking too much?” said a reluctant Mammila at first when he was told that he has a good history being on the bench against Chiefs.
“I have beaten other teams before – Kaizer Chiefs is one of them but it’s a top team. It is why I’m saying it is a dream for every coach in South Africa to beat Kaizer Chiefs.
“They were lucky to get a point, I’m sorry to say this, but they were lucky to get a point.”
Just like last season when they got a point against SuperSport United, Chippa started without defeat and Mammila said this one will go a long way, as he aims to avoid the struggle the club had last term to survive the chop in the final game of the season.
Chippa next host TS Galaxy at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday (19:30).
