One of the most impatient club owners in South Africa Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi has promised to be patient with the club’s new coach Gavin Hunt.
The Chippa United owner appointed the 56-year-old Hunt as Chilli Boys coach last week. Hunt’s appointment followed after the Chilli Boys retained their Premier League status through the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs.
The Chilli Boys were left coachless after Lehlohonolo Seema, who helped them retain their DStv Premiership status, joined Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban.
“That’s why I gave everything to his hands. I told myself I would be patient,” Mpengesi said.
In an effort to make sure that Hunt feels at home at the Eastern Cape side, Ngqamakhwe-born Mpengesi appointed Roy Limongelli as the club’s technical director. Hunt and Limongelli know each other very well having worked together at Bidvest Wits.
The Chilli Boys, who are based in Gqeberha, are one of the most fortunate clubs in the Premiership in terms of financial support.
Their three-year deal with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro gives them R7,5 million per annum and they also get almost R2 million from the Buffalo City Metro for each match they play in East London.
“Few teams enjoy the blessing of what we have here. We have the support of two municipalities financially and otherwise. We must make use of that advantage and show by being a top team in the country,” Mpengesi said.
The Chilli Boys use the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha as well as Mdantsane’s Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London as their home venues.
