Chippa snap up four signings as Sikhakhane returns

The Port Elizabeth-based side have also brought back former head coach Roger Sikhakhane, who will be employed as a Technical Adviser/assistant to Teboho Moloi.

Last week the Chilli Boys made a marquee signing in the form of Orlando Pirates winger Thabo Rakhale, whose skill and trickery should soon see him becoming a crowd favourite for the Eastern Cape team.

As part of the deal, full-backs Phetso Mphanga and Diamond Thopola joined the Buccaneers.

Also arriving from Pirates, in a later signing, is Nkosinathi Mthiyane. Once the top goal-scorer in the National First Division (NFD) with Thanda Royal Zulu, Mthiyane has been converted into a left full-back but got very little game-time at the Soweto club after he left the Chilli Boys at the end of 2015/16 season.

The two other new acquisitions, Mxolisi Macuphu and Linda Mntambo, were both signed from NFD outfit Jomo Cosmos this week and will add steel to the Chippa midfield, as well as goals – between them they’ve netted nine this season.

Chippa boss Siviwe Mpengesi says the intention of the squad reinforcements is to try and help the team qualify for African competition in 2019, which usually entails a top three finish or winning the Nedbank Cup.

“The signing of the four players is the clear indication of where we want to be at the end of the season,” said Mpengesi. Our intention is to consolidate our position in the top and play continental football next season.

“Thabo Rakhale is a typical Chippa United player and will add the flair and goals to the side. We are delighted to welcome back Nkosinathi Mthiyane, a player that is familiar with the culture of the club and he will get an opportunity to revive his career.

“I have been following the career of both Mntambo and Macuphu at Jomo Cosmos and they were both arguably the most exciting players in the NFD,” Mpengesi explained.

The Chilli Boys are currently eighth on the standings, nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.