Brandon Truter rues missed chances in Chippa homecoming

Chippa remain without a win in the Betway Premiership after being held to a goalless draw by newly promoted Milford FC at Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday. 

The result is their fourth draw in five league matches this season.

Truter believes home matches against teams like Milford have to produce maximum points. He says the draws against Richards Bay and Siwelele were also opportunities his side could have converted into wins.

"We should be winning in front of them, and I'm sorry to the supporters, but at the same time, I'm thankful to them for coming out in numbers and getting behind the team. There were chances today; Mlotshwa later got in there, Matrose had a chance, and Justice had a chance. So for us, we should be turning this draw into three points very soon because there was an opportunity against Richards Bay when we took the lead, and we took the lead against Siwelele, so, ja, we just didn't manage to score today, but structurally, we were very good," said Truter.

Truter has praised Milford for making life difficult for Chippa, but feels the visitors offered little in terms of a serious threat in front of goal.

The coach has also acknowledged the work that went into preparing Buffalo City Stadium for Chippa’s return. 

The club had been forced to move its home matches during August while both Buffalo City Stadium and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium underwent pitch maintenance.

Chippa’s four draws and one defeat from their opening five league matches have left them still searching for their first victory of the campaign.

Truter says the biggest concern is not the team’s ability to create opportunities, but their failure to turn those chances into goals. He believes better finishing would have given Chippa more points from matches in which they have competed well.

Despite Chippa’s slow start, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali continues to be recognised at international level after being included in Nigeria’s squad. 

Truter says Nwabali’s return to the national setup is another positive for the goalkeeper and the club.

Chippa United will next host Mamelodi Sundowns at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on September 12, before travelling to face TS Galaxy on September 20. Their following home league fixture is against Kruger United at Buffalo City Stadium on October 17.