The key to turning Chippa United's season around is to adjust the attitudes of the players, according to interim coach Farouk Abrahams.
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On Tuesday night at Athlone Stadium the Chilli Boys got their first win under Abrahams, and their second of the season, to move up to 12th spot in the PSL standings.
Under the leadership of the caretaker coach, the struggling Cape side have now picked up five points in three games and no longer appear to be certain candidates for the relegation dog fight.
Abrahams, a former Cape Times football writer, was a breath of fresh air at the post-match conference, especially compared to the dour nature of former coach Roger Sikhakhane.
The former goalkeeper is looking to tap into his vast experience as a player, as well as his raw passion for the game, and so far it appears to be rubbing off on his side.
"I have never been in this position in my career where the players are laughed at and the media makes fun of the boss for his dreams," said Abrahams at the post match press conference.
"That inspires me and it inspires my players, I use that a lot in my motivation to wipe the smirks off the faces of people that think we are going to be pushovers.
"If you go to the change-rooms now you'll see a lot of naked guys jumping around and having a lot of fun, the inhibitions are gone.
"My philosophy; I come from a tough school, from a challenging area of football, where there were no luxuries, you had to fight hard.
"There was no making a living, it was mostly playing free of charge and when you got paid the cheque bounced so my philosophy is of putting the game first.
"I get the guys to play for their families, for their wives, their daughters, their kids. I tell them to play with pride. To quote Bill Shankly of Liverpool: 'Football is bigger than life or death'."
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