BY assuming the coaching reins at Chippa United, Lehlohonolo Seema is very much aware that guiding the Chilli Boys is akin to sitting on a time bomb.
This is due to the hiring and firing of coaches by club boss Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi, making this club one of the most volatile teams in Mzansi.
However, one of the league’s youngest coaches is confident of bringing stability that has eluded the club in their 10 years of existence.
Seema (40) was earlier this week announced as the successor to Rhulani Mokwena, whose tenure at the side did not last beyond a single match.
The end of Mokwena’s tenure is a familiar development at the Port Elizabeth-based Absa Premiership side.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic coach conceded the uncertainty about the Chippa coaching job but, expressed confidence he could turn around their fortunes.
“Look, coaches will come and go. I’m not scared that I will get fired. I believe in my abilities and I will work as hard as I can,” Seema said.
“It’s one of the things we know as coaches. They say you are fired the day you are hired.”
He emphasised the need for stability, a rare commodity at the Chilli Boys.
“For sure, stability is always good. Even in my playing career, I didn’t play at many clubs. I stayed long at Celtic. I stayed long at Orlando Pirates,” the former Lesotho international captain said.
He also had a lengthy playing spell at Celtic, beginning in 1998 until he moved to Pirates in 2006.
“This (Chippa) is my second team. Let’s hope we can work together with the guys and everybody at Chippa and bring the results to the club,” he said.
Seema disclosed that chairman Mpengesi had not spelled out a mandate.
“The chairman spoke to me and said it’s only six games left and there’s nothing much we can do. We just need to make sure we save the (Premiership) status,” the mentor said.
Chippa are 12th with 26 points from 24 matches, six ahead of bottom club Black Leopards.
He did a commendable job at Celtic, another of the league’s unstable sides in recent seasons.
Celtic are placed ninth.
“I think we (Chippa) need about three wins out of six and we will be good to go,” Seema projected.
“Then we can prepare well for next season. The chairman said I have his blessings to assemble the squad the way I want next season, and he will support me to get the players that I want.” – CAJ NEWS
