Latest news with #SinethembaBadela
The Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
We're not at our best yet but we stood tall, Chippa coach says
Chippa United head coach Sinethemba Badela welcomed his team's draw against Betway Premiership defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, but said there is still a lot more work to be done. It did not go according to plan for the Brazilians as they settled for a 1-1 draw with the Chilli Boys after Khaya Mfecane cancelled out Arthur Sales' early goal. It was a thrilling season opener played in front of a large, lively crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 'I am proud of the players because it's their first competitive game, and we are a team that is still coming together,' Badela said. 'We are not fully fit yet, we are not fully together. We have players who only joined us last week, when we were in Johannesburg. 'So, we are not at our best yet, and for us to get a point against the eight-time league defending champions is big. 'But, I do not like to celebrate draws because once you start to celebrate draws, then in the next match, the players become complacent, and from a draw it becomes a loss. 'However, I think if you ask any team in the league, you take a draw against this super Sundowns team that just showed the world and put SA on the map at the Club World Cup. 'So, for us to get a draw against them, I do not think it's the worst result that we could have asked for. We came into the game wanting to win, but we are grateful for the point.' Ahead of the match, Badela, 35, said he would use Saturday's clash against the league champions as a tool to elevate the team's readiness for the new season. 'We are still very far, it's a work in progress, we can't get too excited. Like I said on Thursday, we need to take a lot of information from this game. 'And this game gave us a lot of information, we needed to know how we are physically, and you could see the last 20 minutes of the game, we were starting to run out of legs, hence the changes that we made. 'The first few games of the season, especially when we have not had the most ideal preseason, where you have your six weeks with the new team. 'You would probably need about eight weeks for the players to be fully fit, for the players to fully understand the coach's plan. 'We have to watch the game; there are a lot of things that I am not happy about. 'There were times when we could have kept the ball a little longer and controlled it, but we made technical errors and gave away balls that we shouldn't have. 'But there are a lot of positives, I am happy with the chances that we created and the chances that we had been working on at training.' The Chilli Boys play newly promoted Durban City next at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban on Wednesday (7.30pm). The Herald
The Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Sundowns come unstuck against stubborn Chippa United
United coach Sinethemba Badela gave a glimpse into the future as they played enterprising football and did not show respect to the much-fancied Brazilians. For most of this match, Sundowns dominated in all facets but the most important thing is they started the campaign with a point against the defending champions. What lies ahead for United is consistency and playing well against the so-called small teams and that is going to be tested on Tuesday when they visit newly-promoted Durban City at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban. Sundowns return to action on the same day against AmaZulu at Loftus where they will be looking for their first win of the season as they continue what is going to be a busy month. Cardoso made three changes to the team that convincingly beat Richards Bay during the quarterfinal stage of the MTN8 last weekend with Mosa Lebusa ahead of Keanu Cupido and Fawaaz Basadien for Zuko Mdunyelwa. In the midfield, Jayden Adams replaced captain Themba Zwane. With these changes, Basadien made his first start for the Brazilians since he joined from Stellenbosch FC and Shalulile, who is rumoured to be on his way out of the club, started on the bench. Still missing for Sundowns are defender Mudau and reigning Footballer and Players' Player of the season Ribeiro who are also believed to be heading for the exit door. On the other hand, Badela, who is one of the youngest coaches in the league, showed his hand in his first match for the club as he went with a good balance of youth and experience. For experience, he went with Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Ayabulela Konqobe, Sirgio Kammies and in the midfield he opted for Goodman Mosele, Sammy Seabi and Mfecane. United did not miss Sinoxolo Kwayiba who has joined Orlando Pirates and they will be boosted by the availability of Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Mariko who awaits his work permit.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Sinethemba Badela looking to turn Chippa United into a competitive force
Chippa United's new coach Sinethemba Badela ready to take his side to greater heights. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Chippa United coach Sinethemba Badela is aiming to turn the club into a more competitive force as they begin yet another season with fresh leadership at the helm. The Chilli Boys face a tough opening fixture. They host reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturdya in a 3pm kickoff. The Eastern Cape outfit last met Sundowns in league action in a match that ended in a heavy 3-0 defeat. Since then, they parted ways with former coach Thabo September, and now Badela steps in with the responsibility of guiding the club toward a more respectable finish this season. Badela, who previously worked as an assistant and development coach at Sundowns, was also part of Rhulani Mokwena's staff during their brief spell with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca, which lasted just one season. He believes that the experience he gained working under Mokwena has equipped him well for his first stint as a head coach in the top flight, and he is looking forward to the challenge ahead. "It's been unbelievable to be mentored by coach Rhulani," Badela said at the Betway Premiership launch. "To be by his side and learn from him every day — he has taught me a lot of things and how to win. Everything I know I have learned from him. 'He has supported me a lot, so I feel privileged to have worked with him, and I'm looking forward to taking this challenge at Chippa United. "It's not an easy project, but I am excited about it. We are building a new team, and hopefully I can take everything that I have learned from coach Rhulani at Sundowns — because he is the one that brought me closer to the first team, he took me with him to Wydad — and hopefully I can take all those things that I learned from him and obviously also add some of my ideas.'
IOL News
05-08-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Cardoso driven to defend Sundowns' historic championship run
Miguel Cardoso is motivated to guide Mamelodi Sundowns to a ninth Betway Premiership title amid fierce competition. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The excitement of having led Mamelodi Sundowns to winning the inaugural Betway Premiership title still lingers with Miguel Cardoso, and the 53-year-old coach intends to use it as fuel for the upcoming campaign. Sundowns are looking to win the domestic championship a record-extending ninth time when they kickstart the season with a clash away to Chippa United on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). It is a tricky clash for the Brazilians, given that the Chilli Boys now have a former Sundowns tactician, Sinethemba Badela, as their coach. 'Being part of the Premiership and being one of the 16 coaches that lead teams in the PSL is a privilege,' the Portuguese told newshounds, during the season launch in Sandton, Johannesburg. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'Obviously, last year was a magnificent season for me as a head coach and having the chance to become a champion here at a club with the level of Mamelodi Sundowns. "That excitement still drives me and I will continue to try to give that to my players. I think we created a fantastic relationship; we have a wonderful energy inside the club.' He believes they have great support from the board, who have 'a strong commitment to the club's growth and that's exactly the starting point for the success that the club has achieved in recent history.' All that notwithstanding, Cardoso anticipates a challenging season ahead. Launch complete ✅️ The 2025/26 Betway Premiership is good to go 🔥🔥🔥 We will see you ka weekend #BetwayPrem — Betway ZA (@Betway_za) August 5, 2025 'That's exactly what we want to do for the next season. It will be a season obviously in which I hope to keep the good moments as much as possible. "For sure there will be days that will not be happy and those values that we developed are the ones that will make us keep the pace in the right way and in the right direction. We have strong challenges ahead but beautiful things that can appear in the season, so let's see how the players take their responsibilities.' The former Esperance coach cannot wait for the transfer window period to close. 'Let's hope the market finishes as quickly as possible so that then we know who we have and how we can be in the future.' He knows they are going to have to work very hard to retain their title, though. 'Obviously the competition is very tough. I've always said that the Betway Premiership is a very tough championship and despite the records that were broken by us last season, it has to do with the higher standards we set rather than the lower performance from our opponents. "We have a lot of respect for the work of coaches and players from every team. We know that we have big contenders ahead and only by being ourselves and being loyal to our values can we think about winning again. "So, by that commitment, we can win every time or lose as few points as possible so that we can compete for the championship.'
IOL News
05-08-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Tinkler's Babina Noko and Badela's Chilli Boys plot new paths in Premiership
Babina Noko fans will hope Eric Tinkler can guide Sekhukhune United to a Top 3 finish after last term's promise. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix As the new Betway Premiership season kicks off, Sekhukhune United and Chippa United find themselves on very different trajectories. Babina Noko, under the seasoned guidance of Eric Tinkler, are looking to push into the league's upper tier, while Chippa United, once again rebuilding, hope for overdue stability under new coach Sinethemba Badela. Both clubs face challenges — but with contrasting ambitions. 🔴⚫ Sekhukhune United Tinkler's troops target top-tier breakthrough Club owner: Simon Malatji Head Coach: Eric Tinkler Highest ever finish: Fourth in the Premiership Competitions participating in: Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup, MTN8, Carling Knockout CupSilverware chances: Slim chances in domestic cup competitions, probably not in the running for Premiership honours Bradley Grobler of Sekhukhune United won Player of the Match after their MTN8 quaterfinal match against TS Galaxy this past weekend. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix In the heart of Limpopo, Sekhukhune United, affectionately known as Babina Noko, host their home games at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, a venue that continues to grow in stature. Founded in 2019 as African All-Stars, Sekhukhune's rise has been swift. In September 2020, they acquired GladAfrica Championship status from Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, launching their professional journey. They wasted little time, earning promotion by winning the second-tier title in 2020/21. Now regulars in the top flight, Sekhukhune have set their sights higher. Since Eric Tinkler's appointment midway through last season, the team has embraced a more ambitious approach. The former Bafana Bafana midfielder brings a wealth of coaching experience and a track record of delivering results. This pre-season, Babina Noko made strategic additions to strengthen key areas in a bid to break into the Premiership's top three. The club's leadership believes the foundations are now in place to challenge the division's elite. Versatile defender Katlego Mohamme will be key to Sekhukhune's ambitions this season, bringing balance and composure to the back line. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Players to watch Keletso Makgalwa Relebogile Mokhuoane Katlego Mohamme Predicted league finish: Fourth Chippa United's new coaching team, including head coach Sinethemba Badela, face a familiar challenge this season — steadying the ship and aiming higher. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix 🔵⚪ Chippa United New-look Chilli Boys chase long-awaited stability Club owner: Chippa Mpengesi Head Coach: Sinethemba Badela Highest ever finish: Sixth Competitions participating in: Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup and Carling Knockout Cup. Silverware chances: None Chippa United begin the new season with familiar uncertainty, hoping a fresh technical team can finally bring some continuity to the Eastern Cape side. The club has become synonymous with mid-table finishes and managerial instability, yet continues to survive in the top flight. Head coach Sinethemba Badela has been tasked with lifting the club beyond last season's 11th-place finish. He takes over from Thabo September, whose short stint ended without renewal. Badela is joined by assistant Musa Nyatama, formerly in charge at Moroka Swallows. Together, they will try to break the cycle that has held Chippa back since their last top-eight finish in 2015/16. However, their task is complicated by off-season departures, including Sinoxolo Kwayiba and striker Bienvenu Eva Nga. Rebuilding a competitive squad remains a top priority. The Chilli Boys are known for taking swift action when results go south. That approach has helped them maintain their Premiership status, but also contributes to a climate of pressure for any incoming coach. Badela and Nyatama will need early results to buy time—and breathing room. There is still promise in the squad, with a few key players capable of lifting the team when in form. Much will depend on whether the new coaches can instil a consistent identity and get their signings to gel. Creative midfielder Azola Matrose will be central to Chippa United's attacking hopes as they look to climb the Premiership table. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix
