The 40-year-old coach was in charge of Golden Arrows’ first five matches of the season alongside co-coach, Mabhuti Khenyeza before stepping.

Chippa United confirmed the news of Vilakazi’s appointment. “Mr Vilakazi is set to oversee the club’s development structures and senior team. His vast experience and deep expertise will play a crucial role in uplifting the performance levels of the club as a whole.

“He will work closely with the first team’s technical staff, offering support to our head coach. Having Mr Vilakazi with his calibre and experience join our club is indeed a proud moment for us. I am eagerly anticipating his contribution to our development structures and confident that his insights will immensely benefit our team,” Mpengesi said in a statement released by the club.

The 24-year-old was on loan at Chippa United where he had a convincing 2022-2023 season.

The Nigerian international scored 10 league goals this past season and helped Chippa United to finish 14th on the DStv Premiership log table last season.

“I’m excited and looking forward to working with the players and technical team as well. Expect hard work from me, and some goals because I have a good team that can support and assist me,” said the Nigerian international.

Meanwhile Matsatsantsa welcome the return of experienced goalkeeper Washington Arubi from Marumo Gallants. Arubi is a hardworking goalkeeper with an amazing winning mentality.

Other changes in the team saw speedy winger Thapelo Maseko joining neighbours Sundowns while Grant Margeman signed a permanent deal with Matsatsantsa.

Seema took over as The Chillies caretaker coach with four matches remaining and save the club from relegation.

In official statement released to the media, Chippa United said Mammila has been re-appointed. “We’re thrilled to appoint Morgan Mammila as our new head coach,” read the club statement.

“Mammila brings an abundance of experience and proven leadership to the role. We also confirm that Siyabulela Gwambi will maintain his post as first assistant coach. His unwavering dedication to the club is highly valued, and we trust in his abilities to continue our forward momentum.”

Mammila was sacked by Chippa United in February and replaced by Kurt Lenties. “The pursuit of top-eight positions and cup victories will be entrusted to the capable hands of our new head coach.

“As long as we maintain our status in the PSL, we trust in our team’s ability to deliver exceptional football. Looking ahead, we promise an exciting transfer window period with the signing of some notable players.

“We aim to strengthen our team and provide our supporters with thrilling matches to enjoy.”

Chippa United are rooted at the bottom of the table and a win will at least guarantee them a place in the promotional PlayOffs.

“Maritzburg United draw against Mamelodi Sundowns doesn’t change anything for us. After our loss against TS Galaxy we were sure what is expected from us,” Seema said.

“I said to the players, the sooner we accept our situation, the better. We are still going to have to win our last game. I don’t want to say we are going to be safe [from relegation] we are clear that we want the PlayOffs spot.

“All the games are difficult; this game is not going to any different. Golden Arrows is a good team and they are on 37 points and want to consolidate the top eight. The good thing is, we don’t have to calculate, we know what we have to do. Players understand that we are expecting a very difficult game.”

Seema was appointed as the Chippa United replacing Kurt Lentjies who was moved to the DStv Diski Challenge team.

“If you we bring our A game, we concentrate and fight – we will get [the win],” adds Seema. There’s a lot at stake especially jobs, I can tell you that it’s difficult out there.

“I was telling the players that if you let this team go down, for some of you, it could be the last time you kick the ball. There are only 16 teams in the PSL and how many players are in the country.

“So ja, we know the importance of the game and we are not putting ourselves under pressure. I told the players to leave the pressure to me and they must make sure we do what we planned.”
By Zola Doda

The Chilli Boys came 2-0 down to beat Richards Bay 3-2 in the DStv Premiership. “The guys worked hard and they deserve to win the game against Richards Bay because they dug deep,” Seema said.

“I also allowed them to celebrate their victory after the match because the following day we had to prepare for our next opponents because we know exactly where we are. We are not yet out of the woods.

“But the mood is ok, it’s not a relaxed mood. It’s a mood of people that know that they are not yet safe.”

With two matches remaining before the end of the season, Chippa United are currently lying on position 15 on the log – three points ahead of Maritzburg United at the bottom. Chilli Boys’ next match is against TS Galaxy.

“Where I arrived here, I told the guys that we have four Cup finals,” said Seema. “At the moment everyone is trying to fight for anything. It’s not about us going to a team that is not out of the woods yet, we will try to get maximum points because every game we win is important and we don’t have to know how other teams are doing.

“We just have to focus and get three points. It’s going to be a difficult game because TS Galaxy is hard to beat especially when playing at home. They don’t concede too many goals but we are preparing well and we are coming from a win [against Richards Bay].”

Orlando Pirates played to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Royal AM at Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers were denied a goal scoring opportunity on the 17th minute when Kermit Erasmus’ shot was cleared off the goal line by Jabulani Ncobeni, who was starting his first game of the season.

Pirates took the lead eleven minutes into the second half when debutant, Relebohile Ratomo’s shot deflected off Elias Pelembe for an own goal.

Menzi Masuku made it 1-1 inside stoppage time to give to deny Orlando Pirates seventh consecutive win.

At Peter Mokaba Stadium, TS Galaxy’s Given Msimango stoppage time penalty denied Sekhukhune United three points. Chibuike Ohizu opened the scoring for the home side 18 minutes into the match.

Cape Town and Golden Arrows played to a 0-0 draw in the only match that failed to produce a goal.
In KZN, Chippa United came from 2-0 down to beat Richards Bay 3-2 in an entertaining match.

Richards Bay took a 2-0 lead thanks to Sakhile Hlongwa and Somila Ntsundwana’s goals. Etiosa Ighodaro made reduced the defeat before Aviwe Mqokozo scored a second half brace to secure three points for the visitors.

At Princess Magogo Stadium, Amazulu came from 2-0 to draw 2-2 with Mamelodi Sundowns. Bongani Zungu punished Usuthu defence when he scored the first goal of the match. Eight minutes after the interval, Peter Shalulile scored his 101 goal from Lebohang Maboe’s pass.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender, Ramahlwe Mphahlele made it 2-1 with a header denying Ronwen Williams a clean sheet. Junior Dion completed the comeback on the 84th minute with a well-taken strike to make the final score 2-2.

At Harry Gwala Stadium, Maritzburg United played to a 2-2 draw against Marumo Gallants in a relegation battle. Brandon Theron and Amadou Soukouna scored Maritzburg United’s goals with Ranga Chivaviro and Mpho Mvelase scoring for the visitors.

ROYAL AM NEDBANK CUP RECORDS
Appearances since 2008: 4
Played: 10
Wins: 6
Draws: 1
Losses: 3
Goals For: 15
Goals Against: 15
Top scorer since 2008: Levy Mashiane (3 goals)

2020: Quarter-finalists
2021: Round of 32
2022: Semi-finalists

KAIZER CHIEFS NEDBANK CUP RECORDS
Appearances since 2008: 16
Played: 41
Wins: 27
Draws: 4
Losses: 10
Goals For: 72
Goals Against: 33
Top scorer since 2008: Lehlohonolo Majoro (6 goals)

2008: Round of 16
2009: Round of 16
2010: Round of 16
2011: Quarter-finalist
2012: Quarter-finalists
2013: Winners
2014: Semi-finalists
2015: Round of 16
2016: Round of 32
2017: Quarter-finalist
2018: Semi-finalists
2019: Runners Up
2020: Round of 16
2021: Round of 32
2022: Round of 32

Stellenbosch vs Mamelodi Sundowns: Head-to-Head
Matches Played: 9
Stellenbosch wins: 1
Sundowns wins: 6
Draws: 2
Stellenbosch Goals: 9
Sundowns Goals: 17

STELLENBOSCH NEDBANK CUP RECORDS
Appearances since 2008: 6
Played: 8
Wins: 3
Draws: 1
Losses: 4
Goals For: 15
Goals Against: 14
Top scorer since 2008: Iqraam Rayners (5 goals)

2017: Round of 32
2018: Round of 16
2020: Round of 32
2021: Round of 32
2022: Round of 32

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS NEDBANK RECORD
Appearances since 2008: 16
Played: 54
Wins: 41
Draws: 4
Losses: 9
Goals For: 122
Goals Against: 37
Top scorer since 2008: Hlompho Kekana (11 goals), Peter Shalulile (11 goals)

2008: Winners
2009: Round of 16
2010: Quarter-finalists
2011: Semi-finalist
2012: Runners’ Up
2013: Quarter-finalists
2014: Quarter-finalists
2015: Winners
2016: Quarter-finalist
2017: Round of 16
2018: Semi-finalists
2019: Round of 32
2020: Winners
2021: Semi-finalists
2022: Winners

Dondol Stars vs Orlando Pirates: Head-to-Head
*This will be the first meeting between two sides.

DONDOL STARS NEDBANK CUP RECORDS
Appearances since 2008: 2
Wins: 1
Draws: 1
Losses: 0
Goals For: 3
Goals Against: 2
Top scorer since 2008: Revaldo Fox, Relebogile Molefe, Kholofelo Monama (1 goal)

ORLANDO PIRATES NEDBANK CUP RECORDS
Appearances since 2008: 16
Played: 42
Wins: 28
Draws: 5
Losses: 9
Goals For: 80
Goals Against: 48
Top scorer since 2008: Oupa Monyasia (5 goals)

2008: Round of 32
2009: Round of 16
2010: Quarter-finalists
2011: Winners
2012: Round of 16
2013: Round of 32
2014: Winners
2015: Round of 16
2016: Runners Up
2017: Runners Up
2018: Round of 16
2019: Round of 32
2020: Round of 32
2021: Quarter-finalists
2022: Round of 16

Chippa United vs Sekhukhune United: Head-to-Head
Matches Played: 4
Chippa United wins: 2
Sekhukhune United wins: 0
Draws: 2
Chippa United Goals: 3
Sekhukhune United Goals: 1

2011: Round of 32
2013: Round of 32
2015: Round of 32
2016: Round of 32
2017: Semi-finalists
2018: Round of 16
2019: Semi-finalists
2020: Round of 16
2021: Runners Up
2022: Round of 32

SEKHUKHUNE UNITED NEDBANK CUP RECORDS
Appearances since 2008: 3
Played: 3
Wins: 1
Draws: 1
Losses: 1
Goals For: 8
Goals Against: 3
Top scorer since 2008: Vusimizi Ncube (2 goals)

2021: Round of 32
2022: Round of 32

NEDBANK CUP RECORDS
Years Played: 16 (since 2008)
Most trophy wins: 4 – Mamelodi Sundowns (2008, 2015, 2020, 2022)
Most wins for a coach: 3 – Stuart Baxter (2013, 2016, 2017)
Most matches played: 54 – Mamelodi Sundowns
Most matches won: 41 – Mamelodi Sundowns
Most goals scored by a team: 122 – Mamelodi Sundowns
Most goals scored by a player: 14 – Peter Shalulile

The Limpopo-based side are now unbeaten in the last six league matches with the last defeat against Orlando Pirates in January.

Chippa United took the lead on the 34th minute when Etiosa Ighodaro headed home Siphelele Luthuli’s corner kick to make the score 1-0.

Five minutes into the second half the home side were awarded a penalty when Katlego Otladisa was brought down inside the box. Ranga Chivaviro stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with a clinical finish.

Three minutes later, Gallants were awarded a second penalty when Monde Mphambaniso was brought down inside the box by Motome Mathiame. Chivaviro made it 2-1 with his second penalty of the night.

On the 70th minute, Chivaviro completed his hattrick to make the score 3-1.

“Credit to the boys, they worked hard. Coming back from 1-0 to win 3-1 it’s not a simple thing,” said Gallants coach Raymond Mdaka after the match.

“We are happy as a technical team with the character that the boys are showing. It was a do or die match.

“It was not a game that we could afford to lose and they [Chippa United], did not want to lose. In the second half, with the way we played, we could have scored the fourth goal.”

The club released a statement that, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United player will now take charge of the club’s DStv Diski Challenge team.

“Chippa United Football club would like to announce that Kurt Lentjies has been redeployed to head our DStv Diski Challenge team,” read the statement.

“Siyabulela Gwambi has been appointed interim coach for the remainder of the season. Gwambi has been a loyal servant of the club having acquired his CAF License A coaching credentials.”

Gwambi’s first match is against relegation threatened Marumo Gallants.

Chippa United host Orlando Pirates in the DStv Premiership at Nelson Mandela Bay and kick off is at 17h30. The Eastern Cape occupies position 12 on the log, just three points ahead of Marumo Gallants.

“We can still get a chance to get into the top eight,” Pietersen says. “And it’s something we set our targets on at the start of the season. Even though we are close to relegation but we can still get into the top eight. We are in a good mood and good spirits after a good performance against Supersport United. I believe we will build on that.”

Chippa United, coached by Daine Klate, beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the first round but Pietersen insists that it won’t make a difference which sits on the bench.

“It’s the still the same players, same group, same team spirit and same brotherhood. This time we might be more prepared with more experience and more games under the belt than early in the season when we played Orlando Pirates.

“We’ve been through lots of ups and downs throughout the season, we’ve learned a lot and we are more experienced now.

“Our objective is to reach 40 points, that was target from the start of the season. And we still believe that if we get 40 points, we will be safe from relegation but it will also give us a chance to get into the top eight.”