Excited fans during Absa Premiership match between Chippa United and Bloemfontein Celtic at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on January 04, 2019 in East London, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)
Chippa United clear out 15 players ahead of move to East London
Three players will return to Orlando Pirates while Chippa United have sent a further 12 players packing including seven whose contracts were terminated.
Excited fans during Absa Premiership match between Chippa United and Bloemfontein Celtic at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on January 04, 2019 in East London, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)
Chippa United coach Lehlohonolo Seema has reportedly deemed as many as 15 players in the Eastern Cape outfit’s squad surplus to requirements.
Orlando Pirates trio return to Soweto
Three of those 15 will return to their parent club Orlando Pirates after a season-long loan in Port Elizabeth. Diamond Thopola, Tercious Malepe and Meshack Maphangule are the men headed back to Soweto rather than across to East London where Chippa will play their football in the 2020/21 season.
Meanwhile, Thabo Rakhale, Boikanyo Komane and Gerald Modisane have seen their contracts with the Chilli Boys expire and are in search of new clubs.
Seema wields axe freely
Seema is understood to have played a part in the decision to further terminate the contracts of as many as seven players who played a part in the 2019/20 season, which saw Chippa escape the drop by a narrow margin.
“Diamond Thopola, Tercious Malepe and Meshack Maphangule who were all loaned from Orlando Pirates Football Club. Their loan contracts expired and will not be returning for the 2020/21 season,” read a statement from Chippa.
“Thabo Rakhale, Boikanyo Komane and Gerald Modisane their contracts expired. The club will not be renewing their contracts.
“Following meetings with the players, mutual agreements were reached to terminate the contracts of Ruzaigh Gamildien, Lehlohonolo Masalesa, Kelvin Moyo, Elvis Moyo, Phetso Maphanga, Ryan Baartman and William Twala.”
Prospects Ronaldo Maarman and Athini Jodwana have escaped the axe but are set to spend the next term out on loan with the National First Division a possible destination.
“Athini Jodwana who joined the club in Jan, will be loaned out for the 2020/21 season alongside with Ronaldo Maarman. The Chairman would like to thank the players for their contributions and wishes them all well on their future endeavors.”
Chippa United to show their ambition in 2020/21 season
A strong performance in the bubble under Seema saw Chippa power away from the bottom of the table but it is clear the club have ambitions of a top-eight finish and hope the former Lesotho international can deliver.
Chippa’s board have been willing to splash the cash to bring in new players in the past but have struggled to attract quality down to the Eastern Cape.
The club have announced their intention to lease the Buffalo City Stadium in East London and turn the facility into a state-of-the-art sports academy. The move will see Premier Soccer League football return to the border region.
