Coach slams team and says, ‘I’m no miracle worker’

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Oct 29, 2019. 11:00

Zimbabwean coach Norman Mapeza has given a stinging assessment of his players at new club Chippa United and says he is “no miracle worker” as the team struggles at the foot of the South African Premier League table.

Mapeza took over the side less than two weeks ago, but is already under pressure in the league after a 2-0 loss to Highlands Park at the weekend. He had also masterminded a 1-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic in the Telkom Knockout Last 16.

“Things are going to be difficult here, we need to bring in new faces. It’s clear, we need to bring in new faces,” Mapeza told reporters.

“I have to be honest with you. I didn’t come here to perform miracles. I’m a football coach and I know this terrain. If things don’t go well for me, as a coach you either resign or you get fired.

“But at the moment, we need players here. We need players. Each and every department. From up front, midfield, in defence.”

Chippa will not be able to make any signings, bar free agents, until the January transfer window, and Mapeza says he may look to Zimbabwe for reinforcements.

“We have to look for new players, but for now we have to work with what we have until December,” he said.

“We have been talking about maybe getting some players on loan, maybe in the first division. If it means bringing one or two guys from Zimbabwe, I have to do that because up front we need people who can score goals,” he said.

Chippa are next in action on Sunday when they host Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals.