Hidden ties between Chippa and Sikhakhane

Afriend queried whether asking Roger Sikhakhane about the Chippa United situation was not going a bit overboard. This question was posed on Sikhakhane more than once on Wednesday after he had successfully guided Thanda Royal Zulu back to the Absa Premiership.

The 41-year-old mentor has a dramatic history with the Chilli Boys where he has been fired, only to be rehired and fired again. The friend felt the question was unfair as Sikhakhane had made it clear after the last fallout with Chilli Boys owner Siviwe Mpengesi, that he would never ever go back to the club.

His question however got interesting answers – some agreeing that it was not the right time to ask it, while others felt it needed to be asked. Sikhakhane was obviously diplomatic in his response, saying he had not even thought about that lately as he has been too focused on his current job.

A reporter probed further and asked if he would answer if Mpengesi called. He mumbled a response and what I could make out was that he didn’t think Mpengesi still had his number.

It was on Thursday night while we were watching the games that the matter was discussed again. Another friend made an interesting observation. He said Sikhakhane and Mpengesi have a special kind of relationship.

He advised that we should not read too much into the spat they

Sibongiseni Gumbi

had where they ended up talking ill of each other because they will have us eat humble pie when they kiss and make up.

“They are like that couple who fight, and have a public break-up where they hang their dirty linen for everyone to see but later on get back together and leave everyone surprised,” he said.

Someone even went as far as suggesting that if Chippa were relegated, Sikhakhane would be guaranteed a job for next season even if Amabhubesi follow the trend of those before them and sack him for a coach with more Premiership experience.

But having observed Sikhakhane’s behaviour I have realised he is a strange man. He hardly celebrates. Even on Wednesday as everyone around him went crazy celebrating their success, he just staood there looking lost and disinterested.

When asked afterwards how he felt after such an amazing achievement, he calmly said he felt normal, like on any other day.

“For me it’s a normal feeling,” Sikhakhane said after the match. “I have done it twice with Chippa (United) before. I was just doing my job,” he added.

I get that he was just doing his job, but even office administrators do have celebratory events every now and then, especially after an achievement. Salespeople have parties to celebrate if they make their targets.

But Sikhakhane’s notion had me thinking. What if – like Mario Balotelli – all players didn’t celebrate after scoring because it is their jobs anyway? The game would be pretty boring.

That would mean we would not have that memory of Roger Milla’s celebration after scoring at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Anyway, I digress. Let me send my congratulations to Sikhakhane, uMboma and the entire Amabhubesi team for their excellent achievements.