Chippa United sack Wilfred Mugeyi

FORMER Warriors striker Wilfred Mugeyi was yesterday sacked as head coach of struggling South African Premiership side Chippa United – barely three months into the job.

Mugeyi, who dumped seasoned campaigners Ajax Cape Town where he assistant coach to take over at Chippa in January becomes the fifth coach to be booted out at the Cape Town side this season.

According to reports from South Africa, the Silver Fox was shown the exit door by the club owner Chippa Mpengesi yesterday afternoon.

Since taking over at the end January, Mugeyi has only managed a single win for the Chilli Boys -against Sunday Chidzambwa’s Black Leopards – and had roped in former Warriors team-mate Benjani Mwaruwari to boost his attack.

Following the side’s 2-1 defeat to SuperSport United on Wednesday evening, the ruthless Mpengesi called for a technical meeting yesterday where he wielded the axe on the Mugeyi.

During the match, Chippa appeared headed for a rare win when William Thwala gave them the lead by half time, after a superb pass from Benjani, but SuperSport rallied from behind to hand the Chilli Boys their 14th defeat of the season.

Mpengesi is now under fire from fans for his impatience with coaches after Roger Sikhakhane was first to go, just after the team was promoted. Manqoba Mngqithi was next, after just four matches, after which assistant coach Julius Dube took over.

Farouk Abrahams was appointed in December, and then fired at the end of January. Sikhakhane has since returned for a third time, this time as technical director as Mugeyi leaves Chippa who are bottom of the log with just 16 points from 24 games.

Meanwhile, former Dynamos striker Takesure Chinyama was on a target for Orlando Pirates, in an impressive performance, as they settled for a 2-2 draw with Ajax Cape Town.

Chinyama headed home while Mpho Makola scored the other goal for the Soweto giants after the Zimbabwean forward’s cracker had crashed against the upright.

Another Zimbabwe international, Khama Billiat, was yesterday in the eye of a storm from Ajax fans for missing a couple of sitters that could have eased their relegation worries.

At Kaizer Chiefs, Kingston Nkhatha is satisfied with his contribution in his first season although he says the pressure was just as bad at Black Leopards.

Nkhatha, who joined in the off-season from Black Leopards, has scored some vital goals for Chiefs this season in their quest for a first League title in eight seasons. He has managed seven league goals in 24 starts.

“My first season here at Chiefs has gone well. We are just encouraging each other and giving each other much needed support. I am happy with some of my performances this season and the supply I have received from the midfielders.

“I still want to improve on my goals tally though. If I can go above 10 it will be fine. It is good for me to score goals, but credit should also go the entire team,’’ he told Kick.Off.Com

At his previous clubs, Leopards and Free State Stars, Nkhatha was either fighting relegation or consolidating a mid-table position, so he is excited at the prospect of being a League champion.

“It is a big step in my career because I was fighting relegation at Leopards or something else – but the pressure is still the same. Because when you are fighting against relegation you need to fight hard and here at Chiefs with the League title not secured yet, we need to fight harder.” Kick-Off.com