New Chippa United tactician Sinethemba Badela has paid tribute to a young but well respected SA mentor doing duty on the continent for the role he played in his coaching career.
Badela is set to make his debut in the Betway Premiership when Chippa host Mamelodi Sundowns at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
He joined during the offseason, replacing Thabo September at the helm.
All eyes will now be on the 35-year-old and how he steers the ship, especially given the Gqeberha-based club's penchant of firing coaches at will.
Speaking during the Betway Premiership launch in Sandton on Tuesday, he thanked coach Rulani Mokwena for introducing him to top-flight football after working with him at both Sundowns and Waydad Casablanca.
"I must say it's been unbelievable to be mentored by coach Rulani and to be by his side and learn from him every day. He taught me many things. He taught me how to win. In everything I have now, he supported me," said Badela.
"I feel privileged to have worked with him. I am looking forward to taking this challenge at Chippa. It's not an easy project, but I am excited about it.
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"We are building a new team and I'm hopeful I can take everything I learned from Rulani at Sundowns because he is the one who brought me closer to the first team, he took me to Waydad. Hopefully I can take the things I learned from him and add my ideas and hopefully we can achieve a successful season at Chippa," he continued.
The Chilli Boys have signed Azola Tshobeni and Goodman Mosele from Orlando Pirates to boost their squad for the new campaign.
