Chippa United endured a season marked by inconsistent performances and results but successfully secured their top-flight status earlier than in previous campaigns.
The Chilli Boys made only one marquee signing ahead of the 2024/25 season, bringing in Andile Jali as the headline addition. Orlando Pirates loanee Siphelo Baloni also joined, along with several recruits from South Africa’s lower divisions.
Under the guidance of head coach Kwanele Kopo, Chippa began the season strongly, clinching victory in four of their opening seven league matches despite suffering a 2-1 defeat against Orlando Pirates on the opening day in Soweto.
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However, their early momentum took a hit following elimination from the Carling Cup Round of 16 by TS Galaxy. Struggling to sustain positive results, Chippa saw their promising league standing slip from fifth to 11th after ten matches, raising concerns about consistency and long-term ambitions.
Following a narrow 1-0 loss against Kaizer Chiefs, the club announced that Kwanele Kopo will step down as head coach after opting not to renew his contract, citing a desire to return to Johannesburg to focus on his family and personal priorities in 2025.
Kopo was replaced by Thabo September, with former Golden Arrows coach Mabhuti Khenyeza being brought in as his assistant, as the club sat in ninth spot on the league table.
After a rough start under the new leadership, Chippa managed a mix bag of results but found themselves not drifting into the play-off/relegation spot, which had been become a regular trait of the team in previous campaigns.
A 2-0 victory over Polokwane City in March saw the team climb back into the top eight spots, with five matches left in the season, however, the Chilli Boys lost four of their last five league matches, eventually missing out on MTN8 qualification on the final day.
The Eastern Cape team will need to improve their consistency and away form ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, in order to better their 11th-place finish after managing only two wins on the road this season.
On the bright side, attacking midfielder Sinoxolo Kwayiba’s performances have not gone unnoticed, catching the eye of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, who handed him his debut in the 87th minute of the 5-0 thrashing of Congo in an AFCON Group K qualifier.
The 25-year-old has also subsequently been called up for South Africa’s upcoming international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique.
Chippa Mpengesi has already announced new plans for next season, with the appointment of Bafana Bafana Analyst and Technical Scout Sinesipho Mali as the club’s new Sporting Director.
This is one of the early moves that the Chairman and his board have made in their reported ambition to help the club as it reshapes its footballing structure and long-term vision.
Here are a few key stats from The Chilli Boys season:
Key player – Sinoxolo Kwayiba (8 goal contributions – 7 goals, 1 assist)
Top goalscorer – Sinoxolo Kwayiba (7 goals)
Most minutes – Thabo Makhele (2730 minutes played)
Clean sheets – 10 ( Stanley Nwabali – 9, Lukhanyo July – 1)