...If the clips are not permanently attached to the cover, I guess the clips might work. ...
The wire harness needs to be completely flat and not be stretched tight so that the cover is not being pushed away from the underside of the mast jacket (tube).
Often the wire harness gets kinked or routed and is tight, then the cover does not set against the jacket correctly and the clips pop out.
The clips are spring steel, but not real robust, and they lose tension over time, from rust, or get bent out of shape.
If you are carful, with the cover and wires moved out of the way, you might be able to work with the clips and see if you can get them to install, and then try with the cover.
Let me know if that does or does not work, I'll see if I can find a source of clips for you.