Eymael to take over at Chippa

Belgian coach Luc Eymael is to be named as the new Chippa United boss, replacing Sinethemba Badela, who had only two games in charge of the Eastern Cape club.

It is a return to South Africa for the 65-year-old, who won the Nedbank Cup during his tenure with Free State Stars.

Eymael also coached at Polokwane City and Black Leopards and has had a journeyman career around Africa.

His last job was at St Eloi Lupopo in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He blotted his copybook in Tanzania, however, where Simba fired him after derogatory remarks he made in an extraordinary rant in mid-2020.

In a widely circulated recording, Eymael was heard calling Tanzanian fans dogs and comparing them to chanting monkeys after supporters criticised changes he made in a local league game.

Eymael later denied his comments were aimed at Yanga supporters and apologised, but he was still fired.

Chippa had looked to appoint Eymael later the same year, but the move was blocked by the South African Football Association, and Chippa chairman Siviwe Mpengesi was heavily criticised by political parties for looking to hire Eymael in the wake of his comments, which were condemned as racist.

Badela had been appointed at the start of the season but swiftly fired after a fallout with new sporting director Sinesipho Mali.

Musa Nyatama took charge of Chippa’s last game but was shown the door on Thursday after the club had been hammered 4-1 at home against TS Galaxy.

Chippa, who have one point from their opening three games in the Betway Premiership, are next away against Richards Bay in Durban on Tuesday, but Eymael is not expected to be on the bench because he would need a work permit.

Chippa host Orlando Pirates on Sunday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium by which time he could have his paperwork in place.