Chippa United coach Morgan Mammila was back smiling again after finally getting the first win in 2023, ending a run of seven winless games.
Chippa beat Maritzburg United 1-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday, ending a three-match winning streak for Fadlu Davids.
Etiosa Ighodaro, on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, riffled a powerful shot that beat Renaldo Leaner in the 58th minute at the near post.
It was hit with some power and Mammila punched in the air in relief to register the first win since beating Sekhukhune United in October.
As wins were hard to come by, Chippa chairman Siviwe Mpengesi, looking to rescue the situation, brought back Kurt Lentjies to add experience and tactical knowledge in the technical area.
Following the win over Fadlu Davids’ boys, Chippa moved to seventh in the DStv Premiership table with 24 points after 19 matches, needing just six points more to be assured of safety.
Still Chippa were wasteful against United and that was also shared by Mammila afterwards.
“That’s football for you,” said Mammila, who collected his fifth win with the club, while one came under Daine Klate against Orlando Pirates in August before he was sacked and replaced by the former administrator in September.
“We are happy now that we took the three and at least it is a reliever after so many games without a win. But people forget easily in football that we won more matches than other teams.
“We have Stellenbosch FC (on Saturday) now and that is the game we have to go all out and win.”
The last time Chippa finished in the top eight was in 2015/16 season under Dan Malesela and Mammila has set sight on that target, which would result in featuring in the MTN8 next term.
“The aim is to stay there. The teams above us are not winning, they are drawing. So yes, let them taste the same medicine that we tested – they were winning and we were drawing,” he added.
“But that is the beauty of football – you win some and you lose some.”
