Chippa United coach Thabo September has wasted no time in searching for new players to replace those who are set to exit and get fresh blood to strengthen the team before the new season.
The Gqeberha side played their last Betway Premiership fixture for the season against Marumo Gallants at the weekend and their hopes of playing in next season’s MTN8 went up in smoke after they played to a 1-1 draw at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
As it stands, the Chilli Boys are in eighth position on the log with 31 points from 28 matches, but this will change as Kaizer Chiefs (31 points), Gallants (31 points), Richards Bay (30 points) and Magesi (29 points) are yet to play their final matches for the season.
Chiefs face Polokwane City, while Gallants and Magesi will play against each other, and Richards Bay will play SuperSport United.
All of the games will take place on Saturday.
Magesi will play their final league fixture on May 28 against Orlando Pirates.
September said the team had done their best this season, but it was time to regroup and start planning for next season.
He confirmed that a few players were leaving the club, but declined to mention any names.
“We’ll see what players we can bring in and start the season well,” he said.
“So, now it’s time to take a break and refresh the mind. We are looking forward to next season.
“We have started preparing in terms of player recruitment.
“There will be players moving out of course, and there will be players coming in, but I can’t make mention of their names.
“We are just busy now with the recruitment.”
It has been reported that former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana star Andile Jali will not be returning to Chippa next season.
Jali, 35, joined the Chilli Boys at the start of the season on a one-year contract with an option to renew.
He was a free agent for six months after parting ways with Moroka Swallows in December 2023.
Another player who is said to be leaving the Chilli Boys to join Soweto giants Pirates is Sinoxolo Kwayiba.
The 25-year-old, from Motherwell, joined the Chilli Boys last season from Pretoria Callies and has been a regular.
He started this season slowly but quickly rediscovered his scoring ways, with his performance catching he eye of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
Kwayiba was part of the 23-man squad Broos assembled to play Congo-Brazzaville in the 2025 Afcon Group K qualifier in Gqeberha in 2024.
Earlier in 2024, he was also part of coach Helman Mkhalele’s Cosafa Cup squad.
Though pinning down a more lucrative three-year extension contract at the start of the season, Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is also rumoured to be walking towards the exit.
According to reports, the 29-year-old is still being monitored by clubs outside the country.
The Herald
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