Jokes are writing themselves in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape and fortunately the deadly COVID-19 pandemic has spared the people of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro from becoming part of the football circus brought to them by DStv Premiership side Chippa United.
Trigger-happy Chilli Boys chairman Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi announced on Wednesday that the club had appointed Belgian coach Luc Eymael as
their new mentor following the sacking of Lehlohonolo Seema, who led the Port Elizabeth-based club to one win, two draws and five losses since the season started in October.
Mpengesi has now buckled under pressure and withdrawn Eymael’s appointment following a backlash he received from South Africans, who were concerned about the decision to appoint the Belgian.
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.
Even the office of the Premier of the Eastern Cape Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane voiced its displeasure at Mpengesi’s decision to appoint the 61-year-old Belgian.
Eymael offended Africans when he caused a stir with his racist runt while coaching Tanzanian club Young Africans. Using despicable language, Eymael called supporters of Tanzanian side Young Africans ‘dogs and monkey’ something which rubbed up the SAFA hierarchy and
many Africans the wrong way.
‘‘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,’’
said a statement from the Chilli Boys on Thursday.
Eymael once coached Polokwane City, Free State Stars and Black Leopards in the Premier Division.
