Chippa seeks fan-tastic base
Chippa United boss Siviwe Mpengesi has a plan to revive South African soccer and wants his club to be the most watched side in the Absa Premiership as they prepare for their opening clash against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday.
Mpengesi, flanked by coach Dan Malesela and captain Mark Mayambela, was speaking at a media briefing at the club’s home on Thursday afternoon.
“I can’t wait to watch our first game on Sunday. With Chippa United, results are important but it is also about entertainment and I want people to be entertained,” the chairman said.
“We want to revive South African football. Through us, people must have hope that South African football is still alive.
“We are not putting pressure on anyone, neither the coach or the players. We just want them to entertain and must make the people of the Eastern Cape hap- py, whether they support, Kaizer Chiefs, [Orlando] Pirates or [Mamelodi] Sundowns”, said Mpengesi.
He added that the host of new signings made by the club was cause for excitement with a good mixture of youth and experience brought in to help take the team forward. Mpengesi said taking the game to the people of EC was important and it was for this reason he announced that games will also be played in East London, in addition to certain games being played at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele.
Midfield-general Mark Mayambela is ready to take the reins as captain and says leadership needs to take place both on and off the field.
“I believe that being a captain or the leader of the team is not only about wearing the armband on the field of play. There are a lot of expectations that come with the responsibility and having worked with the coach on a daily basis I have asked him to help me with this journey of becoming a leader.
“I am an ambitious player and person so I am looking at this as an opportunity that can help me grow as a person for my future plans, be it as a coaching or administrative role, whether it is here at Chippa United, or elsewhere,” he said.
Asked about the search for obtaining more sponsorship for the team, Mpengesi said the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality played a substantial role in assisting financially, but admits more sponsors would only help the team further in their quest for success.
“It is always a challenge to run a project without financial muscle and it is also not easy to get a sponsor even though you might think you have all the biggest car manufacturers in Eastern Cape.
“But due to past experience, and teams that could not last, some [sponsors] are still reluctant, but as Chippa United, after relegation, this is season number five in [the] PSL, so we are hoping they will come,” he added.