The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) will continue to support struggling DStv Premiership side Chippa United and will not interfere in Port Elizabeth-based club’s affairs despite the team’s recent blunders.
In November the Chilli Boys and BCMM inked a multi-million rand deal, which will see the club playing seven matches in East London. It is believed that the Chilli Boys will earn more than R1,5 million per each match played in East London.
The Chilli Boys were due to play their first game in East London this season last Sunday against AmaZulu, but they decided to swop the match with Usuthu because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘‘We do not get involved in the day-to-day running of the club. We trust Mr Mpengesi’s managing of the club as demonstrated in the fact that they have been competing in top flight football for so many years and we believe he has the best interests of the people of our city at all times. It’s a pity that this virus has robbed us and the club a
much-needed support base from our city’s passionate supporters,’’ BCMM head of communications Samkelo Ngwenya said.
Chilli Boys chairman Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi was caught up in a storm on Wednesday after he announced that the Port Elizabeth-based club had appointed much-hated Belgian Luc Eymael as their new coach after Lehlohoolo Seema’s sacking following a poor run.
The Chilli Boys won once, drew twice and lost five times under Seema since the 2020/21 season started in October and that resulted in trigger-happy Mpengesi firing the former Lesotho international.
Eymael’s appointment brought the Chilli Boys unwanted attention as it didn’t go down well with many South Africans, who felt that it was insensitive of Mpengesi to give the Belgian a job considering the
circumstances around his departure from Tanzanian side Young Africans.
Eymael offended Africans when he caused a stir with his racist runt while coaching Young Africans. Using despicable language, Eymael called supporters of Young Africans ‘dogs and monkeys’ something which
rubbed the hierarchy of the South African Football Association (SAFA) and many Africans the wrong way.
On Wednesday through a statement, SAFA said that the organisation was going to fight Eymael’s appointment and make sure that the Department of Home Affairs didn’t process his work permit application.
A public backlash as well as Premier of the Eastern Cape Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane’s displeasure on Wednesday forced Mpengesi to rescind Eymael’s appointment.
‘‘We would like to clarify the initial decision was based on Mr Eymael’s coaching track record, where we felt he was the best person to take the club towards our desired top half finish in this DStv Premiership season. Our withdrawal of the appointment is an acknowledgement of our stance in such matters with the club having fully informed Mr Eymael and his representatives on our position,’’ a statement from the Chilli Boys said on Thursday.
