Chippa United set top-eight target after last season’s relegation fight

Chippa United coach Brandon Truter says the club’s priority is to avoid another battle against relegation, while his personal ambitions include a top-eight finish and reaching a cup final.

Truter was speaking after Chippa United were beaten 3-0 by Orlando Pirates at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Sunday afternoon.

The defeat came as Truter outlined the mandate set by chairman Chippa Mpengesi for the new season. Mpengesi has made it clear that Chippa United must not endure another campaign like the previous one, when the Chilli Boys spent much of the season struggling near the relegation zone.

Chippa United ultimately secured their survival last season by finishing 13th, four points clear of Magesi and Orbit College. Magesi entered the relegation play-offs, while Orbit College were relegated automatically.

Truter said his own targets extend beyond simply avoiding danger at the bottom of the table. He wants Chippa United to finish among the top eight in the league and compete for a place in a cup final.

“The target is to not go through what we went through last season. Personal targets? Top eight, cup final,” said Truter.

“But from the club side, what the chairman asked that we must not go through this thing [relegation fight] again. I think we are not like that.

“It’s a good team we assembled. Here and there we need to tweak. I’m fairly confident we’ll reach the top eight.

“I’m fairly comfortable that we’ll have a say in the Nedbank Cup, in the Carling Knockout Cup as well. So yeah, I’m fairly confident.”

The coach believes the squad assembled by Chippa United gives the club a stronger platform to meet those objectives, although he accepts that adjustments are still required.

His comments came after a difficult opening result against Orlando Pirates, but he remains confident that the team can improve as the campaign develops. Truter also identified both the Nedbank Cup and the Carling Knockout Cup as competitions in which Chippa United can make an impact.

The club’s broader objective is to ensure that last season’s relegation struggle is not repeated. Having survived with a 13th-place finish, Chippa United are now aiming for greater stability and a move into the top eight.

For Truter, success would also mean taking the team to a cup final. While acknowledging that the squad still needs some fine-tuning, he expressed confidence that Chippa United can challenge in the league and have a meaningful presence in both cup competitions.