Kwanele Kopo gives update on his future after Chippa United exit
Coach Kwanele Kopo has given an update on his future following his abrupt exit from Betway Premiership side Chippa United in December.
Kopo left the Eastern Cape-based club upon the end of his contract. He had been with them for 12 months, having joined in January 2024.
Thabo September, previously the assistant coach, was appointed head coach. The club also added Mabhuti Khenyeza and Morgan Mammila to the coaching staff as assistant coaches.
Kopo’s departure was somewhat surprising as things were seemingly coming along well under his leadership.
As he mentioned on Radio 2000 after leaving the club, Kopo rejected an offer that he was given by Chippa to extend his contract.
Speaking to this website, he stated he wanted to take a month out to ‘rearm himself before he returns stronger. He revealed that he received offers in January both in the top-flight and second-tier, but he was unavailable at that time.
He has now expressed his availability for positions as both head coach and assistant coach. Furthermore, he indicated his openness to the role of “youth technical director”, especially for a project offering long-term stability.
KWANELE KOPO ON TYPE OF JOBS HE’S WILLING TO TAKE
“From the time I left Chippa there were a few teams that have called me both NFD and Premiership,” said Kopo during the interview with FARPost.
“But I think after I left Chippa I decided to take a month out where I was doing some refresher workshops with some colleagues of mine locally and abroad just to refresh on what’s happening in football, modern trains in football.
“So, I took the whole month of January even when I had offers at some of the clubs. I told them that I would not be available in January. So, I took the time to rearm myself because there are colleagues, coaches that I know locally and across the borders that we interact with.
“But there have been offers, and now that I’m done with that, yes, I am available, as every coach would say, probably for the right project.
“I’m available and, as I have said in a project, as either a head coach or an assistant coach, maybe in a stable and long-term project as a technical director, maybe like a youth technical director. However, it has to be a long-term, sustainable youth program.
“But I’m available and I think recharged and refreshed. And yeah, I look forward to whatever opportunities God may open up going forward for me.”
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