Mark Mayambela joins Chippa United

07 July 2015 - 12:29 By Nick Said

Former Orlando Pirates winger Mark Mayambela was unveiled as one of nine new signings by Premier Soccer League side Chippa United on Monday. Mayambela makes a return to the South African top flight after six months away in Sweden at Djurgardens‚ and then a spell in the National First Division at the end of the last campaign with Royal Eagles.The 27-year-old‚ who has also played in the PSL with Bloemfontein Celtic‚ is the marquee signing for the Port Elizabeth-based side and their returning coach Roger Sikhakhane.“Mark has a lot of experience‚ he has played overseas and then come back home for a period to recharge his batteries. We wanted to give him this chance to show his quality‚” coach Roger Sikhakhane said.Other players to be announced are the former AmaZulu duo of winger Philani Shange and midfielder Nkosinathi Mthiyane.Both have left the KwaZulu-Natal side in the face of their relegation from the top flight and added bring experience to the Chilli Boys.The Kaizer Chiefs duo of centre back Zitha Macheke and midfielder Christopher Matombo were also unveiled‚ though their capture had been announced some weeks back.Chippa have also brought in striker Rhulani Manzini‚ previously with Platinum Stars‚ and the midfield duo of Hlabane Kutumela and Kuduku Maleasenya‚ who both played for Baroka FC in the National First Division this season.The last signing to be announced was that of former Thanda Royal Zulu right back Diamond Thopola.Sikhakhane says the aims of the club have changed and that has prompted an overhaul of their squad that so far sees just 13 players retained from the last campaign.“When we got promoted the aim was always to secure our survival in the next season‚” the coach said. “We managed that‚ but now we want to take the next step.“The mentality of the team has changed now and it is more about getting a place in the top eight. We also want to play good football and have brought in players who can help us do that.”Club owner Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi stressed that the club were looking to make more signings before the end of the transfer window.Mpengesi says the club are still negotiating with Mamelodi Sundowns for a return for midfielder Thami Sangweni‚ who spent a successful season on loan at Chippa last year.They are also searching for two goalkeepers and two more strikers‚ the owner confirmed.Meanwhile‚ the club have also announced the capture of veteran Botswana coach David Bright‚ who will act as assistant to Sikhakhane.Bright has most recently worked at NFD side FC Cape Town‚ but is also a former national team coach‚ as well as working at Santos and Bay United in South Africa.“I wanted to bring in David Bright because I believe every coach needs a strong right-hand man and he has a lot of experience in the game‚” Sikhakhane says. – The Times..

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