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SABC Sport has established that Chippa United could be closing in on their next head coach to replace Thabo September.
According to information provided to the public broadcaster, Sinethemba Badela has emerged as the hot favourite to take the reins at the Chilli Boys ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Chippa opted against keeping September as head coach following what the hierarchy felt was an average campaign in the Betway Premiership over the last few months, as the club missed out on a top eight position.
As previously reported, September was set to be demoted to the DStv Diski Challenge side along with imminent changes at the club, which includes the mooted appointment of Sinesipho Mali as Sporting Director following his resignation from Sekhukhune United.
Mali, who doubles up as a Bafana Bafana analyst, was the head of performance and scouting at Babina Noko and had also previously worked at Chippa.
The side owned by Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi is also set to permanently relocate to East London next season, with their permanent base set to become Buffalo Stadium and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha their alternative home ground.
Indications are that they want Badela to lead this resurgence and fresh chapter for the club next season, but talks are ongoing with an offer believed to have already been tabled for the coach.
Badela spent the past year in Morocco as assistant coach to Rulani Mokwena at Wydad Athletic Club, until the entire technical staff parted company with the North African outfit three games before the end of the 2024/25 season.
Mokwena is also current;y contemplating his next move, while Badela is understood to seriously be considering Chippa’s tempting project.
