At the helm of Chippa United, coach Thabo September isn’t just navigating the final stretch of the PSL season; he’s meticulously laying the foundation for a future brimming with homegrown talent and a distinct playing identity.
In the ever changing landscape of South African football, a new blueprint is being drawn in the Eastern Cape.
September’s recent conversation with Dumza Koyana on Camagu Kosani TV offered a compelling glimpse into the mind of a coach driven by a profound desire to uplift both his club and the broader footballing community.
His immediate aspirations are grounded in personal growth, acknowledging the crucial role of continuous learning in the dynamic world of football.
“For me, I think, for now is to get my [CAF] A license,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to honing his craft through formal education. This pursuit of knowledge mirrors his broader vision for Chippa United – a club that not only competes but also cultivates excellence from within.
Beyond tactical prowess and league standings, September’s heart beats for player development, particularly nurturing talent from the grassroots level. His poignant words, “I would be happy when I see a Sinoxolo being sold, for the betterment of his life and his family,” reveal a coach who sees his role as extending far beyond the pitch.
Read: Chippa United Set for Major Squad Revamp as September Prepares for Key Departures
Indeed, he dreams of creating more “gems,” recognizing that each nurtured player represents not just a footballing asset but a potential catalyst for positive change in their lives and communities.
“How do you test yourself, is to get another, make another gem,” he passionately declared, highlighting the intrinsic reward he finds in this process.
This dedication to development isn’t solely about individual success; it’s intrinsically linked to September’s ambition for Chippa United.
“So to develop players is part of what I want, but the main part is also to develop the football club, to change the football club and to take the football club to the next level as a coach and the style, have an identity of play, how we want to play.” He envisions a team with a clear and recognizable style, a testament to his coaching philosophy and the players he molds.
September’s insightful observations extend to the dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns, acknowledging their established “one way of playing” built upon significant resources. However, his focus remains on maximizing potential within his own context.
“Without the resources, make sure you can also develop players and adjust to environments that you don’t have a solution,” he astutely pointed out, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and ingenuity in player development, particularly in environments with fewer resources.
He used Sundowns’ recent Nedbank Cup clash against Sekhukhune United as an example to further illustrate this point, highlighting Cardoso’s advantage of bringing on a wealth of established talent from the bench, which stands in stark contrast to the development-focused approach often required elsewhere.
“The game that I was watching and I saw Tebza coming off the bench, and I saw Adams coming off the bench, Ribiero coming off the bench, Shalulile coming off the bench and you say, continue the same way you guys were playing. Go in there and put more pressure on the opposition. But can you develop players from nowhere?”
His commitment to grassroots development in the Eastern Cape is particularly inspiring. “I would love to, to develop players from grassroot upwards. I wouldn’t want just to be a head coach that doesn’t even get to go on the ground and see. I want to move around the Eastern Cape,” September affirmed, painting a picture of a hands-on leader deeply invested in nurturing local talent and building a sustainable future for the sport in the Eastern Cape.
As Chippa United navigates the final stages of the season, September will need to improve on their current 9th position on the Betway Premiership standings.
Failure to secure a top half finish would see them miss out on the MTN8 in the upcoming campaign and the lucrative prize money that comes with. Chippa United are in action next against Sowetan Giants and top 8 contenders Kaizer Chiefs. Kick off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is set for 17h30 on Saturday, 19 April 2025.