Chippa United coach Kurt Lentjies regards going to the last game of the season with no fears of being relegated or qualifying for the play-offs as an achievement.
The Chilli Boys, who played in the promotion/relegation play-offs last season, retained their Premiership status following a goalless draw with struggling Swallows FC away last weekend.
They go to Saturday’s final DStv Premiership match against a desperate TS Galaxy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha with no pressure at all.
“We know how important this match is to us. We have secured our status. That was an achievement for the club if you look in the last three seasons where we survived in the last minute or gone to play-offs,” Lentjies said.
“For me, we are making progress. Our target is to reach 30 points. I’m just happy for the boys. I demanded so much from them. We managed to find the balance to work together.”
The Gqeberha-based Chilli Boys, who have 29 points from 29 matches, have gone six matches without a loss and Lentjies is pleased with that.
“We haven’t conceded much. I think it’s two at home against Baroka. Holistically, we are very pleased to walk on to the field for the last game of the season with less pressure,” Lentjies said.
Mitchell’s Plain-born Lentjies, who has not played since November last year, has revealed that he’s going to play when they meet the Rockets.
“I will be on the field. I haven’t played since the 15th of November,” the former Chilli Boys and Maritzburg United midfielder remarked.
Having been given the difficult task of saving the Chilli Boys from relegation following Gavin Hunt’s sacking, Lentjies succeeded in securing the team’s Premiership status.
“It’s been good. I was a one day at a time coach. I didn’t want to emphasise and think too much on long term plans. I love the players. Every single player has showed me respect even though I didn’t demand it,” he said.
