Chippa United coach Dan Malesela has leaped in to defend under-fire left back Paseka Mako following his performance against Cape Town City on Monday.

The Chilli Boys are currently placed 10th in the Absa Premiership standings with 23 points and have won five out of 22 matches played so far this season, trailing Platinum Stars in ninth place by two points and eight placed Maritzburg United by three points.

The Chilli Boys suffered a 4-1 defeat against Eric Tinkler’s side when a hat-trick by Bhongolwethu Jayiya and a goal by Thami Mkhize cancelled out Rhulani Manzini 76th minute goal at Athlone Stadium.

The 23-year-old impressed in his first season in the Absa Premiership following his move from Cape Town All Stars, having already made 18 appearances in the PSL so far this season.

The 61-year-old coach has back under fire Mako but the left back looks certain to retain his place in the squad, despite his performance against City, where he struggled to deal with the pace and trickery of Jayiya.

‘No player becomes a bad player after just one game,’  Malesela told the Chippa United website.

‘I am not the one to judge a player after just one performance. He (Paseka) had done very well for us until the Cape Town City game.

‘He has come up against some of the best wingers in the league, and not once he was shaken. It was not his day on Monday, and that happens in football.’

The left back recently won the Man of the Match award for his impressive display against Witbank Spurs in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 last month.

Chippa United will now turn their attention to the Nedbank Cup last 16 when they take on Polokwane City on Saturday.

The match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium kicks off at 15:00.

Image: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix