Thabo September confirms his departure, as Chippa United resets for new season

September’s confirmation follows reports by IDiski Times that he will be leaving the club, alleging that he opted against demotion to the reserve team to make way for a new head coach.

September joined Chippa United as co-coaches with former head coach Kwanele Kopo in December 2023. Speaking to Putco Mafani on Umhlobo Wenene’s sports show last night, September confirmed his departure.

"My contract expires in June and the club has to go to the next level. We had a talk with the chairman and they gave me options but I have a project that I need to get on,” September said.

“So, yeah, the contract was ending and there was an option not only to DDC but an option to work for any department in the club but I think the time for me to leave the club has come."

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September, a former Bush Bucks and SuperSport United defender, was in charge of 19 matches overall for the Chillie Boys when he took over as the head coach from Kwanele Kopo at the end of December last year, winning just five matches and drawing five.

In the league, he coached 17 matches, registering four wins, five draws and eight losses.

The club is finishing the season placed 11th on the log with 31 points. He responds if his departure has something to do with the results.

"No, the mandate was that we make sure that the club stays in the top flight and also help in development and bring young players through and that's what we did. The possibility of ending up in the top eight was there and we also wanted that but that was not the target,” the coach added.

“It would have been nice for Chippa United to finish in the top eight for the second time but we only missed out on the last three points but that was not our target. We just saw the opportunity and wanted to make Eastern Cape proud."

SABC Sport has now learnt that Chippa United is on the lookout for a new head coach.

It remains unclear if Mabhuti Khanyeza, who was working with September, will remain to work with the incoming head coach.

The club is working on relocating to East London ahead of next season, which will also be preceded by some big announcements on the technical side.