Stanley Nwabali gets new coach as Chippa United appoint Sinethemba Badela

By Dayo Awoniyi

Chippa United have appointed Sinethemba Badela as head coach ahead of the 2025/26 South African Premier League season, with Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali set to work under new leadership.

Badela replaces Thabo September, who departed after guiding the Port Elizabeth-based club to an 11th-place finish last season.

This appointment marks Badela’s first head coaching role in the South African top flight.

He arrives with experience from the lower divisions and most recently served as assistant coach at Moroccan giants Wydad AC, working alongside Rulani Mokwena.

Details of Badela’s contract remain undisclosed, and Chippa United are expected to announce the rest of his technical team in the coming days.

As the Chilli Boys prepare for the new campaign, the club will be hoping Badela can help guide them to improved results, with Nwabali likely to remain a key figure in goal.