Joao Prates has become the latest international coach to be offered to Betway Premiership clubs as the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season officially comes to a close.
As previously reported by the Siya crew, a wave of interest from local agents and their international counterparts has led to several foreign coaches being pitched to South African clubs in a bid to elevate the technical standards of the domestic game.
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Chippa United is among the clubs understood to be considering a revamp of their technical setup, with the Eastern Cape-based outfit set to make an official statement confirming the departure of Thabo September.
Despite helping the Chilli Boys avoid relegation this past season, insiders at the club have revealed that September will not be retained for the new campaign.
The decision comes as the club looks to shift its ambitions, buoyed by a multi-million rand sponsorship deal from the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and other sources of their income.
The financial injection is expected to help Chippa transition from perennial relegation survivors to a more competitive force in the league.
In line with this ambition, the club is believed to be exploring several options, and news reaching the Siya crew is that Portuguese coach Joao Prates is among those being offered to Chippa for the 2025/26 season.
Who is Joao Prates?
Joao Prates, a UEFA Pro License holder, has built a strong reputation in European football circles as a methodical and modern tactician. He has previously worked in Portugal and the Middle East, with coaching stints at clubs such as Al-Khor SC in Qatar and Portugal’s SC Braga youth structures. Known for his detailed approach to match preparation and emphasis on youth development, Prates is currently with Naft Missan FC in Qatar but his contract will be expiring in June and is keen to assess his options.
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His availability has alerted several PSL clubs, and his profile fits the mould of the new direction Chippa United appear to be aiming for – a coach with international experience, a clear footballing philosophy, and the ability to implement long-term development strategies.
Meanwhile, the name of Musa Nyatama has also surfaced in discussions regarding the Chippa United technical team. The former Orlando Pirates midfielder has recently been in charge of Leruma United in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, and his growing coaching credentials have caught the attention of clubs looking to strengthen their benches with young, tactically astute local coaches.
