Chippa United will head into their 11th league match of the season with a fifth coach in charge after Luc Eymael parted ways with the club on Wednesday and was replaced by Vusumuzi Vilakazi.
Eymael confirmed his departure to The Herald, followed shortly later by a two-word message from Chilli Boys boss Siviwe Mpengesi, “Vilakazi Kanu”, via WhatsApp when the reporter asked him who would replace the Belgian.
Vilakazi, 43, becomes the fifth coach at the helm of the club after just 10 matches into the new Betway Premiership campaign.
Sinethemba Badela was shown the door just two matches in the season; he was replaced by Musa Nyatama, who was replaced by Morgan Mammila, who later made way for Eymael.
It will be former Kruger United coach Vilakazi’s second stint at the Gqeberha club.
Vilakazi first joined Chippa as the club’s technical director, working with Mammila during the 2023/2024 season.
Eymael’s departure comes as no surprise after Chippa’s 2-1 loss to Marumo Gallants on Sunday.
The result marked the coach’s fourth loss since taking charge at the club.
He managed just one win in the seven games.
Eymael is now a free agent after his lawyers reached an agreement with the club to go their separate ways.
The former Free State Stars coach said his lawyers met those of the club on Monday.
On Tuesday, they found common ground and an agreement was signed on Wednesday.
“My goalkeeper coach from Tunisia, Walid Ben Othman, is after me,” Eymael said.
“I think the team was improving a lot, but the coach cannot avoid the mistakes of the players.
“I think there was a big improvement in the playing style, but ja, what can I say, each experience teaches you a lesson. I was really hoping that the chair would give me more time.
“Everybody can see that there is a big improvement in the team, besides the mistakes that we made that are costing us points.
“I want to thank all the Chippa fans and the chair who brought me here. I was happy to be back in SA. I like this country, thank you, chair, for that.
“I thank all the players for their efforts at training and during the games, despite that sometimes the results were not what we expected.
“But we tried, we never gave up. I wish them all the best for the future, also to the next coach.
“I hope they will survive in the PSL.
“Like I said, every experience teaches you a lesson, that you have to be better for the next result, and perhaps to achieve something in the future.
“When one door closes, another door opens, and I hope that it will be the case with me soon.”
The Chilli Boys next play AmaZulu in East London on November 1.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.