Chippa boss up to his old tricks again

CHIPPA United are only three games into the new PSL season and already owner Siviwe Mpengesi is up to his old tricks.

Coach Dan Malesela was fired this week only hours after his team lost 3-1 at home to Baroka on Tuesday night.

The decision to axe Malesela will have taken some by surprise but it should not have if one considers Mpengesi’s impulsive streak when it comes to the hiring and firing of coaches.

At one stage, in 2012-2013, Chippa’s revolving door spat out five coaches in 10 months. The team relocated to Port Elizabeth in 2014 and have since changed their coach five times.

Matters appeared to have settled down to some degree when Malesela took over in January 2016. He helped the team survive relegation that season and then managed an impressive sixth position in the following campaign.

Last season he reached the semifinals of two cup competitions but it was the team’s lack of league results that saw Mpengesi draw his six-shooter once again.

This despite numerous injuries and the untimely sale of experienced players contributing heavily to Chippa’s underperformance.

As a result, and towards the end of the season, he placed Malesela on “special leave” but bizarrely called him back after only two weeks for the final two games of last season in a desperate bid to keep his team in the top flight. Again, Malesela staved off relegation.

Admittedly, the Chilli Boys’ loss to Baroka would have come as an embarrassment. And yes, Chippa only have three log points to show for their efforts. But by thumping the panic button with only three games played and as many as 81 points still left to play for, Mpengesi appears to have made another rash decision.

Former Orlando Pirates star Teboho Moloi was yesterday slipped the poisoned chalice and will take charge as caretaker coach for Chippa’s away game against Platinum Stars tomorrow.

Having been within Chippa’s coaching structures before, until as recently as May, Moloi will be aware he needs eyes in the back of his head.