Former Chippa United coach Vladislav Heric believes the Chilli Boys will get a favourable result against Kaizer Chiefs at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Heric was in charge of the Chippa side that beat Chiefs 1-0 a year ago with Bienvenu Eva Nga getting the only goal of the game.
It is a crucial game for both sides as Chippa will be looking to give themselves a bit of breathing space above the relegation, while Chiefs will be aiming to apply some pressure on DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Serbian also masterminded victory over Chiefs when he was coach of Black Leopards in 2018. Heric coached current Chippa boss Kurt Lentjies as recent as last season before Lenntjies hung up his boots at the end of last season before taking the reins at the Gqeberha-based outfit.
Heric says he is already seeing the positive impact Lentjies is having on the side, saying the current Chippa boss’ intelligence as a player is serving him well in his coaching and firmly believes he is the right man for the job.
“I believe Chippa will have a positive result in this game,” Heric told KickOff.
“I believe Chippa have that fortune to play Chiefs and Kurt Lentjies has no fear or worries which is good for any coach. Kurt Lentjies was an intelligent player, and it is showing in his way of coaching so I believe he will find the right formula to have a positive result. I believe in Kurt Lentjies as a coach. He is a good man as well.”
Heric says that any team facing Chiefs usually lift their game and are more pumped up ahead of facing the most popular team in the country and believes this gives Chippa the edge ahead of the clash.
“The week leading to such a game is different because the players are much more loyal to your tactics in that game compared to other matches,” said Heric. “They (players) believe in the game plan and stay loyal.
“The players play a major role in that because the tactics are easy to prepare since everyone knows everyone.
“The tactical job is not difficult on the day against your opponent even though you will never know what could happen on the day of the match. There is always something that you cannot predict.
“I have been fortunate in Chiefs games that players stayed loyal to the tactics.
“The plus is that players have no fear in losing the game and this is always the advantage for every coach at every so-called small club.”
