In a bold move signalling both ambition and trust in local talent, Chippa United have confirmed the appointment of Sinethemba Badela as the club’s new head coach for the upcoming 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
The decision signals the club's commitment to grooming a new generation of coaches and deepening its roots within the Eastern Cape footballing landscape.
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Badela, whose journey began in Sterkspruit in the Senqu Local Municipality under the Joe Gqabi District, is stepping into the head coach role in the PSL for the first time.
Despite his lack of top flight leadership, the club believes his international experience and modern football perspective will bring fresh energy to the squad.
Below is the full statement released by the club:
APPOINTMENT OF NEW HEAD COACH FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON
We are proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Sinethemba Badela as the new Head Coach of Chippa United Football Club, ahead of what promises to be a defining 2025/26 season.
Coach Badela hails from Sterkspruit, a town in the Senqu Local Municipality, part of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality in our beloved Eastern Cape. His journey is a testament to what is possible when potential meets opportunity, and we are honoured to give him the platform to lead our club at the highest level.
This marks his first appointment as a head coach in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) — a moment of pride not just for him, but for us as a club. We have built a reputation for giving young and emerging coaches the opportunity to lead, choosing innovation over recycling, and purpose over familiarity. Football is evolving, and so are we.
Coach Badela brings with him international experience, having served as assistant coach at Wydad AC in Morocco, one of the most decorated clubs in African football. He now steps into this leadership role with the backing of our club, our supporters, and the province we call home.
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As the only PSL club in the Eastern Cape, we carry not just the hopes of our supporters, but the weight of regional pride. We strive to be more than a club — we are a symbol of possibility, a beacon of hope for footballers and coaches from the Province of the Eastern Cape.
Coach Badela will lead our technical preparations for the new season, and additional members of the technical team will be announced in due course.
