Sikhakhane parts ways with Chippa

Chilli Boys coach settles with club after being sidelined over booze claim

ROGER Sikhakhane has parted ways with Chippa United after the coach reached a settlement with the club yesterday. Sikhakhane was placed on “special leave” from December last year by the Chippa management for alleged misconduct.

The KwaZulu-Natal coach was accused of smelling of alcohol on the sidelines at the inaugural Nelson Mandela Commemoration Cup against Mthatha Bucks.

“Roger has parted ways with Chippa. We have reached a settlement with the club,” Sikhakhane’s agent, Abbie Rasimphi, said.

“As part of the settlement, they are going to pay him a six-month salary and the winning bonuses.

“Chippa were also ordered to pay legal costs and apologise by issuing a statement to the media for claiming he smelt of alcohol on duty, because they can’t prove that.

“Roger is now a free agent. We are happy with the outcome. This is what we wanted.

“He can now move on with his life. This is a lesson that a contract must be respected.

“We have labour laws in this country that should be adhered to,” he said.

Rasimphi said although Sikhakhane had still been contracted with Chippa he had never received his salary while he was on special leave.

Club chairman Siviwe Chippa Mpengesi said the settlement had been reached before they entered the courtroom.

“There was no hearing,” he said. “We told ourselves we were not going to fight and would push for a settlement because we think he is a young coach and if the relationship is no longer there what is the point of working together.

“We wanted to finalise this as soon as possible so that our acting coach [Dan “Dance” Malesela] can know his future .”

“I am happy that this matter is now closed because we have moved forward with our lives. I wish him well for his future. ”

Mpengesi said Malesela would take over as head coach.

“He has proven to be the best man for this job. He has broken many records by far. I can safely say that he is the kind of person we have been looking for all these years.

“On behalf of the supporters, the lovers of Chippa United, I will do everything in my power to make sure that I secure his service not only for now but for the long term.

“As the entire Chippa management, we appreciate what Dan has done. He has restored our dignity.”

Malesela, the former Cape Town All Stars coach, holds an impressive record at Chippa so far as he has lost only three games of the eight he has been in charge off.

He said he was pleased with his run at the club so far, but felt he could do better in terms of avoiding defeats.

“I am happy with my record considering that I am also new in the PSL, but also I think it’s one of the better runs we have seen in some time,” he said.

“Get into the second round and you don’t have serious fears of relegation.”

The club’s mandate this season is to end in the top eight. Chippa are sixth on the log with 28 points from 19 matches.

“I do not like to predict things, but obviously it will mean there is improvement,” Malesela said. “So, one can just take that as an encouragement to improve.

“It helps to build the confidence of an individual. It also helps you look where you come from.

“You look back, you reflect and say you can grow and not just stop and be content with having been in the top eight.

“Look to bigger things and say where to from here. How can I grow and how big?”

Chippa’s next league game is against Free State Stars on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (kickoff 3.30pm).