Sinesipho Mali returns to Chippa United in a new Sporting Director position

Mali resigned as the head of performance analysis and scouting at Sekhukhune on Thursday, having completed a season after he joined them in September 2024.

Chippa boss Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi engineered Mali’s return home, which is believed to be backed by the provincial political leadership and the club’s board as it reshapes its footballing structure and long-term vision.

Mali has firmly established himself as one of South Africa’s leading football analysts and technical scouts.

He played a key role in Bafana Bafana’s impressive run to a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire in February 2024.

The 32-year-old has become an integral figure in coach Hugo Broos’ technical team.

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Mali’s journey in football analysis began with roles at Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs. He has also served as an analyst for South African U23 national team and Banyana Banyana.

His academic credentials include a UEFA Elite International Scout certification and a CAF B coaching license.

Having worked with almost all the national teams under SAFA, Mali was instrumental in helping coach David Notoane’s U23 team qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The eQonce-born football technocrat was also part of coach Desiree Ellis’ two analysts (with Mpho Maruping) when Banyana Banyana reached the second round at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

At Sekhukhune United, working under the club’s Sporting Director McDonald Makhubedu, they helped Babina Noko to achieve the highest points tally for the club (46), most goals scored in a season (39) and most wins (13) as they maintained their top four finish from last season.

The move to Chippa United is seen as a revival of the good days at the club, as he was part of the 2017 team under coach Tebogo Moloi, who reached the Telkom Knockout semifinals.

As a Sporting Director, Mali is expected to set up technical structures at the club, which would include scouting networks in the vast province of the Eastern Cape and the country at large.

He’ll also lead the technical team, which will be announced in due course, and possibly set up an academy as talks of relocating to East London are gaining momentum.

SABC Sport understands that Mali, who was being chased by more than four clubs in the Premier Soccer League’s Premier division, will be officially announced after the international break, following the conclusion of Bafana Bafana’s international friendly matches against Tanzania and Mozambique, respectively.