Chippa United have quickly started trending online following Chippa Mpengesi's shock statement that he'll be backing Nigeria when they face Bafana Bafana.
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What's the story?
Gqeberha's only DStv Premiership side, Chippa United, are trending after the club's chairman Siviwe Chippa Mpengesi bizzarely announced that he's backing Nigeria instead of South Africa.
Bafana Bafana face the Super Eagles in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations this evening, and Mpengesi's loyalties lie with his Nigerian goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali.
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Here's how the fans have responded to Mpengesi's statement...
Fans respond to Chippa Mpengesi
Chippa United's Chairman Chippa Mpengesi will not be cheering on Bafana Bafana in their semi-final clash against Nigeria at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
Mpengesi's club shared his statement across their main social media channels, alongside a matchday graphic with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in the background.
The Chippa United head honcho started the statement off by congratulating the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for producing close to 30 players at this year's AFCON, in the second paragraph he gave props to Hugo Broos for "boldly trusting our domestic players."
He showed love to Mamelodi Sundowns for having eight starters in Broos' side and applauded CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe for the success of the tournament hosted in the Ivory Coast.
Mpengesi then incredibly went on to reveal: "As the Chairman of Chippa United FC and as a proud South African, I find myself in a unique position during the 2023 AFCON tournament in that our very own Nigeria international Stanley Nwabali has been a revelation.
"His performance for the Nigerian National Team has caught the eyes of the glob, earning him and our club international acclaim. With Stanley's rising profile and international attention it brings to Chippa United FC, the benefits have been nothing but positive," reads Mpengesi's statement, adding:
"Therefore, I and Chippa United FC stand behind our player Stanley Nwabali and the Nigerian Super Eagles against South Africa Bafana Bafana. We wish the Super Eagles all the best," concludes Mpengesi.
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Unsurprisingly, the fans responded in brutal fashion. Take a look at the best reactions:
Im done with them. We embark on project relegate chippa united from now on https://t.co/eL1IT0089o
— bra mfana (@R42taozen4kota) February 7, 2024
Being unpatriotic is so embarrassing and beyond disgusting….. pic.twitter.com/ainH1Cft2N
— ? O R I (@Ori_RSA) February 7, 2024
Chippa Mpengesi just confirmed he'll be supporting Nigeria today... Sphukuphuku????
— Xhosa is ?????? ™® (@TakaTina1) February 7, 2024
I'm burning all my Chippa United jerseys and will never again support them, in fact I hope they get relegated. pic.twitter.com/E2fhPDmzCf
Clowns ?? pic.twitter.com/rvkVszI4Ln
— Nick (@nicksta_napo) February 7, 2024
The South African taxpayers pay the expensive cost of Chippa United's home games at The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
— THARI (@charles_tshwane) February 7, 2024
I think the time is now for Mandela Bay Municipality to withdraw the sponsorship and let Chippa United pay like everyone else to use that stadium#AFCON2023 https://t.co/DXk475NlIP
South African club chairman issues statement (unprovoked) saying he will support Nigeria against his country because their goalkeeper plays for his club. https://t.co/IRiDgF179S
— Astorre (@Cerebrone) February 7, 2024
Not everything requires a press statement hey. You could have texted your player and told him you stood by him and his country ?? https://t.co/wRvn8cpbfa
— Nkareng Matshe (@Nkareng) February 7, 2024
Imagine being sponsored by two South African municipalities and still support Nigeria over Bafana Bafana , the disrespect! ?????? https://t.co/Gi86TKITmy pic.twitter.com/pTvOQlaY1k
— Anele Fumba ???? (@Anelefumba) February 7, 2024
Baba after posting this and speaking with Nwabali's agent on a potential big money move https://t.co/Lqcmp6WiYY pic.twitter.com/8tsr8eKIdq
— Vox Populi (@OgbeniBlackbear) February 7, 2024
Is Chippa United being serious rn? ??
— DK ???? (@ditebogomailula) February 7, 2024
What's wrong with this man????? https://t.co/rlo6Rr9tgi
— Lesilo Rula ???? (@kay_mahapa) February 7, 2024
This is so crazy ?? https://t.co/56Z5nS44i5
— m. (@palesa_moloto) February 7, 2024
Man you gotta love how unserious we are ?????? how is a local club choosing to support our opps in a semi final??? https://t.co/Cy6ZbfEkYP
— Thala Msutu (@ThalaMsutu77) February 7, 2024
After the first paragraph i was like.. whats the point of all this.. then a voice said "keep reading.."
— Hendo ni Taasisi (@DrewMollel) February 7, 2024
???????? WoW https://t.co/soF7Mpaot3 pic.twitter.com/wACzTvO94T
I've never seen anything so preposterous! This is embarrassing. Who forced you to release this?
— Palesa motshoene IG: @MissPalulu/PalulusKitchen (@MissPalulu) February 7, 2024
A South African club getting a grant from a South African League, with a home ground at Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa is rooting for Nigeria because their goalie is Nigerian! https://t.co/ukwa7ZSYmR
Chippa Mpengesi using club statements in the same way that Trump used to use twitter will never not be funny to me. https://t.co/STKv2RCj6A
— callum (@callum_hitch) February 7, 2024
Unbelievable. https://t.co/v1RzvlHrtq
— Andile Ncube (@AndileNcube) February 7, 2024
Chippa Mpengesi waiting for an offer from Europe https://t.co/sMOXJjxMZT pic.twitter.com/YOWAfPefxf
— Spread Love♥? (@SirLindoo) February 3, 2024
Chippa Mpengesi is a mad man. Lmao ??
— Bonolo (@Ralegae_) February 7, 2024
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