Chippa United co-coach Kwanele Kopo has once again commented on the struggle of having available players, saying the team’s injury list is filling up.

Kopo was without Baraka Magojoro, Goodman Mosele, Azola Ntsabo and Roscoe Petersen due to suspensions and injuries in the Nedbank Cup semifinal against Orlando Pirates at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday, the game where Kopo claimed he was sworn at by Pirates coach Jose Riveiro.

As they visit Pirates in the league match at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday (19:30), Kopo will also be without Bienvenu Eva Nga, who was sent off in that Nedbank Cup semifinal. He said he has to look at players from DStv Diski Challenge to fill the gaps.

“Since coach Thabo and I arrived at Chippa United, this past week has been the toughest from the player availability perspective,” Kopo said.

“We don’t have a big squad. Mosele, Baraka, Azole Ntsabo, and Eva Nga are out. We must tap into the DDC unfortunately, but we’ve got four league games, 12 points to play for and we need to pick up points.

“I think it opens up an opportunity for other players to play and that’s what we’ve got to focus on. Craig Martin and Ayabulela Konqobe are not a hundred percent fit, we are limping, our injury list is filling up, but the job has got to be done.

“We have to be strong and stand up and prepare for the game on Wednesday.”

Following the Nedbank Cup encounter, Kopo alleged that Pirates coach Jose Riveiro swore at him. This incident casts a shadow over the upcoming league match at Orlando Stadium.

“I don’t know what to expect on Wednesday,” Kopo said.

“Mandla Ncikazi [Pirates assistant coach] and I shook hands after the game, but the other coaches wouldn’t even look at us. Hopefully, we can mend fences. If we offended Pirates in any way, I would like to sincerely apologize to the club, chairman Irvin Khoza, the staff, and even coach Riveiro himself. However, I can assure you that coach Thabo September and coach Morgan Mammila never used such language.”

“We didn’t lose to Eva because of the fouls, we lost Eva because of the emotions of the game. Now, we have seen what colour the animal is, what’s true colours are, maybe what we have seen were not the true colours. So, we know what we are facing on Wednesday.”