Latest news with #Badela
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Ambitious Chippa United on a shopping spree; new coach and sporting director
Siviwe 'Chippa' Mpengesi Siviwe 'Chippa' Mpengesi has been on a shopping spree. The Eastern Cape-based club has appointed a new head coach and a sporting director. Chippa United has announced the appointment of Sinethemba Badela as their new head coach. The club expressed confidence in his abilities as he takes over from Thabo September, who parted ways with Chippa following an underwhelming 11th-place finish last season. Badela, who hails from the Eastern Cape, steps into the leadership role as a promising emerging coaching talent in South African football. He is a former Mamelodi Sundowns DStv Diski Challenge mentor and has an eye for untapped talent. 'This appointment at Chippa United marks his first appointment as a head coach in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). It is a moment of pride not just for him, but for us as a club,' Chippa United's statement read. 'We strive to be more than a club. We are a symbol of possibility, a beacon for talent, and a footballing home for the Pride of the Eastern Cape.' Last season, he gained invaluable experience as an assistant coach to Rhulani Mokwena at Wydad AC in Morocco. Badela's appointment is a significant step in Chippa's ambitions to move away from their mid-table mediocrity. Previously, he also played a key role in Mokwena's technical team at Mamelodi Sundowns. 'Coach Badela brings with him international experience, having served as assistant coach at Wydad AC,' the statement continued. 'He now steps into this leadership role with the backing of our club, our supporters, and the province we proudly represent.' Badela's task will centre around elevating the club's fortunes after a lacklustre season where they amassed 31 points from 28 matches, narrowly missing out on a coveted top-eight spot. While the details of Badela's contract have yet to be revealed, the club's vision of fostering talent is clear. Chippa United's commitment is underscored by their choice to promote local coaching talent. 'His journey is a testament to what is possible when potential meets opportunity. We are honoured to give him the platform to lead our club at the highest level.' As preparations for the new season intensify, Chippa United's supporters will be keenly watching to see how coach Badela implements his tactical philosophy and galvanises the squad to achieve their goals. Additional members of the technical team supporting Badela are expected to be announced soon, as the club looks to build momentum and restore pride among its fans. Meanwhile, Chippa's owner, Siviwe Mpengesi, on Thursday morning announced the appointment of Sinesipho Mali as the club's new Sporting Director. Mali, a distinguished tactical analyst for South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, boasts a wealth of knowledge in performance analysis, having previously served in key roles at Chippa and Sekhukhune United. His return to the club marks a notable chapter in his career, underlining the commitment of Mpengesi to revitalise Chippa. Mali brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and practical skills earned during his tenure as an analyst with Kaizer Chiefs before his recent role at Sekhukhune United, where he not only functioned as an analyst but also took charge of recruitment strategies. His efforts at Sekhukhune were instrumental in the club achieving its highest points tally in the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season. 'With Mali's return, we are investing in leadership that understands the game and also the unique context of our region – ensuring alignment across recruitment, development, and performance, while driving purpose-led progress for the club and province," Chippa's statement read. Mali will continue to serve as the head of analysis for Bafana Bafana. He also has previous experience with Banyana Banyana and the national Under-23 squad.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Chippa United announce new coach!
Chippa United have officially announced Sinethemba Badela as their new head coach ahead of next season. Badela joins the Chilli Boys following a season-long stint with Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club. He worked as one of Rulani Mokwena's assistants at Wydad but their stint was cut short towards the end of last season. As reported on The South African, Chippa United showed huge interest in the Sterkspruit-born mentor. This was on the back of Thabo September's departure from the club following the conclusion of the season. Now, Badela comes in to try and build on the foundation laid by September and his team but also bring in his philosophy. Badela rose to prominence whilst at All Stars in the Motsepe Foundation Championship a few years ago. He was later snapped up by Mamelodi Sundowns to coah their DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) team, thanks to Mokwena's huge influence. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
