Roger Sikhakhane has parted ways with Chippa United after the coach reached a settlement with the Port Elizabeth-based Premier Soccer League club yesterday.
Sikhakhane was placed on “special leave” from December last year by the Chippa management for alleged misconduct.
The KwaZulu-Natal coach was accused of smelling of alcohol on the sidelines at the inaugural Nelson Mandela Commemoration Cup against Mthatha Bucks.
“Roger has parted ways with Chippa. We have reached a settlement with the club,” Sikhakhane’s agent, Abbie Rasimphi.
“As part of the settlement, they are going to pay him a six-month salary and the winning bonuses.
“Chippa were also ordered to pay legal costs and apologise by issuing a statement to the media for claiming he smelt of alcohol on duty, because they can’t prove that.
“Roger is now a free agent. We are happy with the outcome this is what we wanted.
“He can now move on with his life. This is a lesson that a contract must be respected. We have labour laws in this country that should be adhered to,” he said.
Rasimphi further said though Sikhakhane was still contracted to the Chippa he never received his salary while he was placed on special leave.
Chippa United were not available for comment.
Now that Sikhakhane has left the Bay side Chippa interim coach Dan “Dance” Malesela could likely be upgraded to head coach.
The former Cape Town All Stars coach holds an impressive record at Chippa so far as he has only lost three games of the eight he has been in change off.
He said he was pleased with his run at the club so far but felt he could do better in terms of avoiding defeats.
“I am happy with my record considering that I am also new in the PSL, but also the fact that I think it’s one of the good runs we have seen in sometime.
“Getting into the second round and you don’t have serious fears of relegation,” said Malesela.
The club’s mandate this season is to end off in the top eight. A target that the Chilli Boys’ are not too far off.
Chippa are sixth on the log with 28 points from 19 matches.
Malesela says for him personally hitting that target will be a great encouragement.
“Although I do not like to predict things, but obviously it will mean there is improvement and there is a room for improvement.
“So, one can just take that as an encouragement to improve,” he said.
“It helps to build the confidence of an individual. It also helps to look where you come from.
“You look back, you reflect and say if I can grow and not only stop, just be content with having been in the top eight.
“Look to bigger things and say where to from here. How can I grow and how big?
“But obviously when you are in the top eight you could not be looking at anything less than that.
“You would always say ‘OK, can we go up the ladder’. What lessons have been learnt and you take a leaf out of that page and say ‘OK fine this is where I need to improve’.
“Take stock of yourself first, I criticise myself so many times in my own space and find solutions. The biggest thing is finding solutions.”
Chippa’s next league game is against Free State Stars at 3.30pm on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Sikhakhane takes his leave
Sikhakhane was placed on “special leave” from December last year by the Chippa management for alleged misconduct.
The KwaZulu-Natal coach was accused of smelling of alcohol on the sidelines at the inaugural Nelson Mandela Commemoration Cup against Mthatha Bucks.
“Roger has parted ways with Chippa. We have reached a settlement with the club,” Sikhakhane’s agent, Abbie Rasimphi.
“As part of the settlement, they are going to pay him a six-month salary and the winning bonuses.
“Chippa were also ordered to pay legal costs and apologise by issuing a statement to the media for claiming he smelt of alcohol on duty, because they can’t prove that.
“Roger is now a free agent. We are happy with the outcome this is what we wanted.
“He can now move on with his life. This is a lesson that a contract must be respected. We have labour laws in this country that should be adhered to,” he said.
Rasimphi further said though Sikhakhane was still contracted to the Chippa he never received his salary while he was placed on special leave.
Chippa United were not available for comment.
Now that Sikhakhane has left the Bay side Chippa interim coach Dan “Dance” Malesela could likely be upgraded to head coach.
The former Cape Town All Stars coach holds an impressive record at Chippa so far as he has only lost three games of the eight he has been in change off.
He said he was pleased with his run at the club so far but felt he could do better in terms of avoiding defeats.
“I am happy with my record considering that I am also new in the PSL, but also the fact that I think it’s one of the good runs we have seen in sometime.
“Getting into the second round and you don’t have serious fears of relegation,” said Malesela.
The club’s mandate this season is to end off in the top eight. A target that the Chilli Boys’ are not too far off.
Chippa are sixth on the log with 28 points from 19 matches.
Malesela says for him personally hitting that target will be a great encouragement.
“Although I do not like to predict things, but obviously it will mean there is improvement and there is a room for improvement.
“So, one can just take that as an encouragement to improve,” he said.
“It helps to build the confidence of an individual. It also helps to look where you come from.
“You look back, you reflect and say if I can grow and not only stop, just be content with having been in the top eight.
“Look to bigger things and say where to from here. How can I grow and how big?
“But obviously when you are in the top eight you could not be looking at anything less than that.
“You would always say ‘OK, can we go up the ladder’. What lessons have been learnt and you take a leaf out of that page and say ‘OK fine this is where I need to improve’.
“Take stock of yourself first, I criticise myself so many times in my own space and find solutions. The biggest thing is finding solutions.”
Chippa’s next league game is against Free State Stars at 3.30pm on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
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