Newly appointed Chippa United coach Daine Klate has another experienced defender ahead of the new season.
Tanzanian defender Abdi Banda has signed a two-year deal with the Chilli Boys after a successful two-week trial.
“He’s had trials with the club over the last two weeks and even played a friendly. They’ve been impressed and given him a two-year deal. He’s more mature now, having played for Baroka and Highlands Park as a younger player. I think he will do well,” a source said.
Banda is not new to the DStv Premiership after stints with Baroka and Highlands Park. He comes in as a replacement to Veluyeke Zulu, who was recently snapped up by AmaZulu.
The 27-year-old centre-back impressed for Bakgaga during his first season in the Absa Premiership, even catching the interest of Mamelodi Sundowns.
He was a vital member of the Limpopo side that particular season, playing 28 games throughout the campaign.
After two seasons in Limpopo, he joined Highlands Park, where he spent a season before returning home to play for Mtibwa. He joins the club as a free agent after his contract with Mtibwa came to an end.
The former Taifa Stars defender will work with former SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates midfielder Daine Klate who was recently appointed Chilli Boys head coach.
The 37-year-old will be the club’s mentor for the upcoming 2022/23 DStv Premiership season.
According to a player at the Gqberha side, Klate rates the Tanzanian highly and is keen on working with him.
“The coach is quite happy to work with him, and he could be the leader at the back for him this season,” the player told FARPost.
Klate will be expecting the Tanzanian to form a solid partnership with former Orlando Pirates centre-back Justice Chabalala, who was unveiled by the club last week.
The former Free State Stars defender was recently released by the Buccaneers six years after he joined them. He struggled to hold down a regular place at the Soweto giants, spending almost all the seasons out on loan. He spent last season at Sekhukhune United, a stint that came after another one at Bloemfontein Celtic.
Chabalala will be hoping to pick himself up and become a regular for the Eastern Cape side.
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