Chippa confirm Sikhakhane return
Chippa United on Thursday confirmed the return of Roger Sikhakhane as their coach.
He had been in charge of the team in their successful Premier Soccer League promotion-relegation play-off campaign at the end of last season but after gaining promotion for the club was replaced by Manqoba Mngqithi.
Sikhakhane returned to the club on Monday and will be in charge against Bidvest Wits on Sunday when Chippa play their fourth game of the new Premier Soccer League season.
“I worked with the team last season so I know the big job that I have ahead,” he told a press conference in Cape Town on Thursday
“I want to try by all means to take this team to the top eight.”
Club owner Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi explained Sikhakhane had left at the end of last season because he had personal problems at home in Durban. But refused to elaborate.
“We know what he is capable of and we were sad when he went away. We are confident is ready to take over again and so he is officially reinstated as head coach.”
Asked contract terms, Mpengesi was unclear, laughing at the question and comparing the arrangement with the new coach to owning a mobile phone. “If you win the airtime is there, if you lose there is no call back option. He belongs to the team, he has no contract. He’s our Palacios,” he said in a reference to the long time role Augusto Palacios has played behind the scenes at Orlando Pirates.
Mngqithi had been in in charge for the first two matches but was fired after they lost both. Julius Dube took charge when Chippa garnered their first point in a goalless away draw at Black Leopards a fortnight ago.
