Chippa fire Eymael, appoint Vilakazi

Bottom-placed Chippa United have fired coach Luc Eymael and appointed Vusimusi Vilakazi in his place, the club said on Wednesday.

Vilakazi becomes the club’s fifth coach of the season after they began the campaign with Sinethemba Badela in charge and had Musa Nyatama and Morgan Mamilla then on the bench in a caretaker role before appointing Belgian Eymael.

The journeyman coach won a single one of seven games in charge with four defeats and two draws.

Chippa sit bottom of the Betway Premiership table after losing 2-1 away to Marumo Gallants on Sunday.

“Chippa United FC confirms a mutual separation with Head Coach Luc Eymael. We thank him for his professionalism and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. We are pleased to welcome back Kanu Vilakazi as the new Head Coach. Familiar with our Club’s values and ambitions, he is well-placed to lead us forward in the Betway Premiership League. To our loyal supporters — thank you for your belief and encouragement. We promise to bounce back stronger as the Chilli Boys,” said a statement by their Sporting Director Sinesipho Mali.

🚨 CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

Chippa United FC confirms a mutual separation with Head Coach Luc Eymael. We thank him for his professionalism and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

We are pleased to welcome back Kanu Vilakazi as the new Head Coach. Familiar with our… pic.twitter.com/JMTusLdMjW

— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) October 22, 2025

The 43-year-old Vilakazi has had a quick succession of jobs, including a previous spell at Chippa as technical director.

As a coach, he was jointly in charge of Lamontville Golden Arrows with Mabhuti Khenyeza before a spell at Richards Bay.

Last season, he was co-coach at AmaZulu with Arthur Zwane but quit midway through the season.

Kaizer Chiefs are the only other club who have made a managerial change this season with the departure of Nasreddine Nabi.