Chippa coach gets to grips with plans
CHIPPA United boss Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi has started the groundwork in revamping his side ahead of the new Premier Soccer League season.
Mpengesi said his focus areas will be bulking up the attack, defence and boosting the technical team. And the chairman has wasted no time in getting new recruits to strengthen coach Dan Malesela’s squad.
Yesterday, he confirmed the signing of two experienced strikers in Maritzburg United skipper Kurt Lentjies and former PSL leading goal-scorer Puleng Tlolane, of Polokwane City.
The chairman also hinted at the possible return of former Chippa captain James Okwuosa, who was sold to Orlando Pirates early this year.
“We are busy signing players that we think are needed in the team,” said Mpengesi.
“We are also working on strengthening our technical team in terms of getting coach Dan Malesela an experienced assistant coach and a proper structure.
“Even though we have not officially announced it, we already have clinched contracts with two new players in Kurt Lentjies and Puleng Tlolane. There are also other players I will announce soon,” he said.
“Chippa supporters have been questioning if my decision to let James Okwuosa join Oralndo Pirates was correct.
“James only played one game for Pirates. He is still contracted to them but he has been calling us pleading with us to talk with Pirates to bring him back. Those are some of the things that I have been working on.”
Asked about the future of Mbuyiselo Sambu, who was Malesela’s assistant coach last season, the chairman said the former defender will still be part of the team but would probably join Chippa’s MultiChoice Diski Challenge side.
“Sambu is going nowhere. However he still has much to learn. For the time being we will deploy him to the MDC side to learn. He is the future of Chippa United and there is no doubt about that.”
Mpengesi said his other aim was to make sure that the team does not repeat their bad performance of last season.
A superior goal difference saw Chippa scrape another season in the PSL.