Sinethemba Badela Hungry for Elite Tests

Speaking at the Betway Premiership season launch in Johannesburg yesterday, the 35-year-old coach says the club is still looking to bring in experienced players to complement their youthful squad.

Badela is the second youngest coach in the league, behind Marumo Gallants’ 28-year-old coach Alexandre¯Lafitte, and he hopes to make Chippa United seriously competitive despite their inexperience.

"I'm excited to be competing against experienced coaches and great teams. For me, I see it as a big challenge, and I'm hoping that we can put the team together as soon as possible, and that we can get a few more players who will help us to improve the squad.

"The Sporting Director and Chairman are working very hard behind closed doors to ensure that we are competitive this season," said the young and hungry coach. 

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Chippa United released about 17 players last season, and Badela says this has had an effect on how they are assembling their team, as they are adding more new faces ahead of their opening game this coming weekend.

"We are a little bit behind in terms of our preparations. We are only a team that is a couple of weeks old, many of the players are joining the team late, but this is normal if you are rebuilding a squad," explained Badela. 

The Chilli Boys open their 2025/2026 campaign against reigning champions and dominant kings of the Betway Premiership Mamelodi Sundowns, this coming weekend. Badela is backing his youthful squad to stand up to a Sundowns team, that has just returned from the FIFA Club World Cup.

Badela also opens up about some of their new signings including Khaya Mfecane from the relegated Cape Town Spurs and crowd favourite Thamsanqa “Shaka” Magwaza, previously of ABC Motsepe League side FC Ravens, who arrives at Chippa United on loan from Sekhukhune United.

"We haven't seen these individuals play in competitive matches for us before, but there have been a few youngsters from the DDC and NFD that we are really excited to see in the top flight."