MIHLALI BALEKA
Chippa United co-coach Thabo September says their pre-season planning will go a long way in determining how well they do in the new season.
The Chilli Boys had a decent season last campaign as they finished 12th in the DStv Premiership, avoiding the relegation quagmire. However, that wouldn’t have been possible without co-coaches September and Kwanele Kopo, who brought some stability to the club.
The duo want to continue where they left off last season, and finish better in the league and domestic cups – having lost to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. Speaking after attaining his CAF B coaching licence in Germiston last week, September mapped out how they’ll be able to achieve their targets ahead of the new season.
“I think with good planning we can start well,” September said. “I think you know how the league is – it’s a matter of mentality.
“You prepare well and get into the first game and things don’t go well. That just disturbs the structure and does not see the vision of where you want to go.”
September and Kopo have started their preparations for the new season as they’ve made a host of new signings after releasing 16 players last month. The bulk of the new signings are young players.
Former TS Galaxy midfielder Aphelele Teto joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Scottish side Livingstone.
However, it is the acquisition of veteran midfielder Andile Jali, 34, who has played for Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, that has got tongues wagging given his pedigree. His last stint was at Moroka Swallows, though, and things didn’t go according to plan as he was one of the players that was released after the protest due to unpaid salaries.
Jali’s legs might not carry him for the entire season, with September confirming that he’s still working his way back to full fitness, but he has no doubt that he’ll make a big contribution.
“Andile was retired in his mind already,” September admitted. “So, we had to have a talk with him because he’s not just an ordinary player.
“He’s a player that can make a big influence in the squad, so we wanted that. We know his legs won’t carry him the whole season. So we must manage that.
“We know the influence that he’s going to bring. We have signed young players this season, so he’s going to help in terms of guiding them.
“He has a big role to play this season. He’s a homeboy from the Eastern Cape, so he is also going to help the club and bring in the numbers in terms of the supporters.”
September already knows a thing about getting the best out of players as his former youth graduate Shandre Campbell joined Belgian giants Club Brugge on a multimillion-rand deal from SuperSport United.
“I am happy (to see him go abroad),” September said. “That’s why I coach, to help the other players to get to the next level.
“So, for me it’s a tick when Shandre signed for Club Brugge. Yes, he’s going to make it – he’s got the right mentality. He’s talented and coachable so he’s going to learn a lot in Europe.
“It’s good what they are doing by taking him to the second division to understand football. I think he’s going to excel and move into the Club Brugge system very quickly.”