Chippa United head coach Thabo September has revealed that Bafana Bafana midfielder Sinoxolo Kwayiba plays a significant role in his strategy, and says it would be a considerable setback should he depart for Orlando Pirates at the season’s conclusion.
Reports during the week emerged that the Soweto giants are already making transfer plans ahead of next season.
The soccer publication, Idiski Times, suggested Pirates and Chippa had reached a club-to-club agreement for Kwayiba’s move, though personal terms had yet to be discussed.
Should they reach an agreement on personal terms, the midfielder is expected to join the Buccaneers in July ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign.
In March, Kwayiba said he would welcome a move from Chippa United to one of the bigger teams at the end of the season.
September also said then that Kwayiba’s prospects would be better served by a move to one of the big three.
Speaking on Wednesday ahead of Chippa and Kaizer Chiefs’ Betway Premiership game at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm), September said he was unaware of any agreement regarding Kwayiba.
“I don’t have any information yet about his possible move. If there’s any information, I will leave it to the management to announce it,” September said.
“He is a big puzzle piece of the team and would be sorely missed if he were to leave the club at the end of the season.”
The talented Motherwell 25-year-old has been a standout performer at the Gqeberha-based outfit since joining from Pretoria Callies in July 2023, and his contributions have not gone unnoticed as he has earned regular spots in Hugo Broos’s SA national team.
He currently has six goals in the league.
September will hope he adds to his tally against Amakhosi this weekend.
Chippa are ninth on the log with 29 points, one place below Chiefs (30), and the tussle in Gqeberha will essentially be about securing a place in the top eight.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs defender Given Msimango described the Chilli Boys as a very difficult side to beat, though they have already beaten them twice this season.
The 27-year-old from Brakpan, on the East Rand, urged his teammates to go all out without being complacent despite having beaten Chippa twice this season.
“Chippa are a very competitive side, very structured and very disciplined.
“We’ve already beaten them in the league [1-0 in Durban in December] and we also managed to get one over them in the cup [3-0 in the Nedbank Cup round of 32 at the FNB Stadium].
“But that doesn’t take away that we demand and we expect full concentration from the guys. We’re ready to match their energy and intensity on the day,” Msimango said.
This weekend's football fixtures are:
Betway Premiership
Friday: Richards Bay vs Cape Town City, King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium (7.30pm)
Saturday: Marumo Gallants vs Golden Arrows, Dr Molemela Stadium (3pm); Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.30pm); Sekhukhune United vs Polokwane City, Peter Mokaba Stadium (5.30pm)
Sunday: Magesi vs TS Galaxy, Seshego Stadium (3pm)
Caf Champions League semifinals, 1st legs
Saturday: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al Ahly SC, Loftus Versfeld (3pm); Orlando Pirates vs Pyramids FC, FNB Stadium (6pm) — Additional reporting by Sowetan
Daily Dispatch
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