September says top-eight 'definitely' possible for Chilli Boys

CHIPPA United missed a golden opportunity to strengthen their push for a top-eight finish after suffering a costly 3-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night - a result that now leaves the door wide open for rival teams chasing MTN8 qualification next season.

- OBAKENG MELETSE

The Chilli Boys were second best for most of the encounter, and the heavy loss could prove damaging in a tight race for the final Premiership top-eight spots, where goal difference may ultimately separate the contenders.

With little time to reflect, the Gqeberha-based side will have to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Sundowns again in just over a week in the reverse fixture.

Now without a win in five matches, Chippa find themselves under growing pressure with just two games remaining.

Coach Thabo September, who has seen his team collect only two points from their last five league outings, admitted after the match that errors from his side played a major role in the defeat to a clinical Brazilians side.

“In the first half, we had good structure,” September told the media.

“We knew we were not going to have much of the ball at some moments, so we needed to be disciplined, and we followed that.