Tinkler lands new job

Chippa United yesterday announced Eric Tinkler (above) as their new head coach, just hours after they fired Dan Malesela yet again from the post.

Former Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City and SuperSport United head coach Tinkler joins after being away from the touchline since resigning from the Matsatsantsa post at the beginning of March.

Tinkler’s first game in charge of Chippa will, ironically, be against SuperSport on Wednesday.

Chippa owner Siviwe Mpengesi lived up to his reputation by becoming the first man to pull the trigger on a coach this season, just three games into the new Absa Premiership campaign.

It was Malesela’s third, but shortest stint at the Port Elizabeth-based side and he said he was left with egg on his face, as he was shown the door barely two months after his return.

“The reason (for the sacking), is quite simple … it’s the poor start to the season,” said Malesela yesterday. “It was quite embarrassing to say the least.”

Chippa have lost two and drawn one of their first three Absa Premiership matches – that was, acocording to Mpengesi, unacceptable and good grounds for Malesela to be sent packing.

“It was a new set up and new players and I needed time to make them gel as a team. The prospects were good, but it’s no use talking about it now,” said Malesela.

The former Pirates defender said he would now be looking for another job: “I’m hoping to join a team where my work will be appreciated. I need time to show South Africa what my teams can do, unfortunately I’m not getting enough time to do that,” he said.

Chippa’s long serving general manager Kwanda Mbenguzana has meanwhile also revealed that he has left the club after more than five years.