Chippa United’s decision to move some of their home games to Buffalo City Municipality Stadium hasn’t been widely received. However, deep in the home dressing room recently, there was a rare source of inspiration – the OoSokhethabahle Traditional Group.
OoSokhethabahle were allowed into the Chilli Boys’ dressing room as the team prepared for their warm-ups against Milford FC and Mamelodi Sundowns in their last two home matches in KuGompo.
They brought an incredible energy into the room through igwijo songs, dance, and instruments. That clearly paid dividends as the animated players took to the pitch high on confidence, holding both the high-flying Milford and Sundowns to draws.
The draw against African giants Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday felt like a loss. Chippa had given their all, taking the lead through Sirgio Kimmies with 12 minutes of regulation time remaining. However, a lapse in concentration on the final kick of stoppage time allowed the visitors to snatch an equaliser through Antonio van Wyk, forcing both sides to settle for a point.
Chippa knows it was two points dropped. Their supporters, traveling from all over the Eastern Cape, braved the rainy weather to rally behind the team, while OoSokhethabahle entertained the crowd throughout the match in the best way they know how.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, meanwhile, was a frustrated man after the final whistle. He lamented the muddy pitch for limiting the fluidity of the game, adding that the compact field hindered their ability to retain and rotate possession.
Cardoso was already unhappy that Chippa chose the venue while the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium undergoes renovations, questioning why the hosts didn’t take the match to Kings Park instead. The Sundowns mentor seemingly forgot that Chippa previously hosted Orlando Pirates in Durban only because both of their local stadiums were awaiting PSL approval.
Chippa are set to host Kruger United in October, Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs in November at BCM Stadium. If the influence of the OoSokhethabahle Traditional Group is anything to go by, the Chilli Boys are well-positioned to put in more strong performances and gather crucial results.
