Chippa United settle for draw upon return to sold-out crowd in East London

Playing in front of a sold-out crowd in the Eastern Cape’s central coastal city, the Chilli Boys also welcomed their two new co-coaches Kwanele Kopo and Thabo September with a good performance. 

The Citizens drew first blood in the first half, through Mthatha-born striker Khanyisa Mayo, who hails from Gqeberha, but Namibian striker Elmo Kambindu – fresh from the African Cup of Nations in Côte ‘Ivoire headed home the equalizer. 

Kopo, was pleased with their good start under his watch.

"Completely dominant, I think tactically we were spot on in terms of pressing them from the front and intercepting a lot balls, and the only problem in the first half was in the wide areas, we didn't press enough and we allowed them to play the cross," said Kopo.

"When you allow the cross, Mayo is always going to be a threat, but even with that said, I felt we created enough chances in the first half to go in comfortably with the lead, and in the second half I think we completely controlled the game.

"But I think for the first game for Coach Thabo [September] and myself, there's a lot of positives in us dominating the game, in the break and counter-attacks that we had, and all that let us down was finishing.

"I think we deserved to win this game, but as a first game, we take the point against number-two in the league, and we build on it."

It’s been almost two years since Chippa last played in East London, and Kopo, who hails from Kariega, enjoyed playing in front of a sold-out crowd as he called for more games to go there.

"It's always pleasant for players to play in front of so many people, and besides goals, we gave them a performance that they can be proud of for Chippa United," he added.

"This is our home ground, we're going to be here a lot, and we believe we'll win games here with the 13th player, which is them, we are very confident we'll win games."

READ: PSL wrap: Wins for CT Spurs, Polokwane City and Sekhukhune United