‘South Africa is the Europe of Africa’ – Chippa United coach | OneFootball

Interview

Eymael reserves special praise for the South African topflight division

Photo: Luc Eymael

Chippa United head coach Luc Eymael has shared his thoughts on the standard of football in the Betway Premiership, stating that South Africa is the Europe of the African continent.

The Belgian mentor recently took over the reins at the Gqeberha-based outfit, succeeding Sinethemba Badela, who was relieved of his duties after a working relationship with Sporting Director Sinesipho Mali swiftly turned sour.

Having touched down in Mzansi on the back of his spell with Saint-Eloi Lupopo in the DR Congo, Eymael made a stark comparison about the level of football in the Central African nation compared to South Africa.

“The players have to understand that here in South Africa, it’s the Europe of Africa. You have everything, you have nice pitches, nice accommodation, nice boots, everything, there is everything,” the Chippa mentor said.

“If you compare it to Congo, they are hungry. I think you don’t know where the players stay in Congo, which kinds of boots they have. So, they are hungry, they want to show in every game; they want to show in every training because they want to go out of the country.

The 65-year-old tactician went on to address his team’s dismal start to the season, with the Chilli Boys rooted at the bottom of the table amidst a four-game losing streak. He is drawing inspiration from his exploits at the now-defunct Free State Stars.

“There’s a lot of improvement [to be done] and it’s needed to try to get Chippa out of this position, it’s a position that I don’t appreciate at all because I have never been in this position,” Eymael added.

“But okay, when I came to Free State Stars, they were second from the bottom, I also lost the first two games and after that we won in Polokwane, and we started to do the season that Free State Stars did in that time.

“I think we need a bit more experienced players also, today [Sunday] we played without [Malebogo] Modise, Goodman [Mosele] is from Pirates, so I am obliged to not let him play. This team is very young and for me they are also not fit the way I want them to be – so a lot of work to do.