Zimbabwean Norman Mapeza Appointed Chippa United Coach

South Africa Premier Soccer League side Chippa United have hired Norman Mapeza as their new coach.

Mapeza takes over from Duran Francis who was relieved of his duties just two days after taking over the reins from Clinton Larsen, who was sacked early in September.

The 47-year-old coach agreed to a three-year deal to coach the South Africa side, months after he resigned from his job with a leading Zimbabwe Premier League outfit, FC Platinum.

“The former coach of Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum has already signed a three-year contract with the team with an option to renew it,” reads a statement from the club.

“The new coach will be on the stands at Sisa Dukashe this evening, to familiarise himself with the team and the players,” it went on to read.

Club owner Siviwe Mpengesi welcomed Mapeza to the Port Elizabeth-based club.

“We are happy to have coach Mapeza and we congratulate him. Not only is he highly experienced, but he is also highly regarded by colleagues in the football fraternity,” said Mpengesi.

“He brings a wealth of experience that will no doubt inspire the players and will take the team to greater heights.”

Mapeza’s first game in charge will be away to Highlands Park on October 26.

Chippa remain one of three winless teams in the league seven games into the new season, joined by the newly-promoted Stellenbosch FC and the bottom-placed AmaZulu.