Chippa United demotes coach Kurt Lentjies ahead of Marumo Gallants fixture

This comes days after the Chilli Boys lost 2-0 to Orlando Pirates at the weekend, leaving them just two points above the automatic relegation zone with only five DStv Premiership matches remaining. 

It’s expected Siyabulela Gwambi will lead the team when they next visit Marumo Gallants on Wednesday in yet another crucial encounter that has a direct bearing on who could drop down to the lower leagues in May. 

According to impeccable sources, Lentjies has been sent to the club’s development side with a decision on his future dependent on what transpires in the fixtures that follow because he was initially brought back to help save the status. 

Chippa began the season with Daine Klate at the helm, but sacked the former Bafana Bafana international seven matches into the campaign as chairman Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi bemoaned their style of play. 

His replacement was Morgan Mammila, an experienced administrator still working on his coaching badges, but he too was sent packing after five months in charge – paving the way for Lentjies to be reinstated. 

But results have not improved with the Chilli Boys winning only one of the five matches with Lentjies in charge, and it’s no surprise that Mpengesi – known to have a volatile approach when coaches don’t deliver – has made changes. 

SABC Sport also has it on good authority that former coach Lehlohonolo Seema is another option to see out the season, after he previously helped the club avoid the drop in the past.