A former double treble winner with Orlando Pirates is headlining the 'rugby starting line-up' list of departures at Chippa United as a new broom sweeps clean in Gqeberha.
Chippa have brought in Sinethemba Badela as head coach, coming in as replacement for Thabo September, for whom a Top Eight finish for the 2024/25 season proved a dream too distant.
READ: Chiefs, Pirates to lose out on red-hot DRC striker?
The other notable change came in the form of a new Sporting Director, in Sinesipho Mali, who has stepped into a role previously occupied by Morgan Mammila.
As would be expected, the end of a season sounds the death knell for some players, depending on how they have fared in the previous 12 months, and several of them have learnt their Chilli Boys fate as 2025/26 approaches.
A whopping 15 players have parted ways with the club, the most prominent of which is Andile Jali.
‘Mhlekazi’ was roped in as a marquee signing prior to the beginning of the just-ended season but never really kicked on in a Chippa jersey, and KickOff.com recently exclusively revealed that an announcement is imminent regarding a likely retirement.
Others who do not form part of the side’s plans going forward include Darren Johnson, Lukhanyo July, Justice Chabalala, Samkelo Jali, Baraka Majogoro, Athenkosi Dlala, Ronald Sanou, Craig Martin, Ronald Maarman, Thobani Jacobs, Sifiso Mazibuko, Aviwe Mqokozo, Enock Sakala, and Bienvenu Eva Nga.
Of the above, goalkeeper Johnson has been linked with a move to AmaZulu FC, while Nga and Kaizer Chiefs have also been mentioned in the same sentence, the notorious transfer window season game of denials notwithstanding.
READ: Downs make brave CWC statement ahead of their opener
Meanwhile, an additional three players are going back to their respective parent clubs after spending the season on loan in the Friendly City.
These are Aphelele Teto, Siphelo Baloni, and Sonwabile Khumalo.
"We extend our sincere gratitude to each of them for their service and commitment during their time at the club. Their contributions, both on and off the field, are appreciated and respected," said a club statement released on Tuesday.
