Chippa United coach Kwanele Kopo is set to face his former club, SuperSport United, in a poignant encounter on Tuesday.

The match, scheduled for the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, holds special significance for Kopo, who spent 21 years at SuperSport before being retrenched.

Kopo was deeply ingrained in the fabric of SuperSport, playing a pivotal role in establishing the club’s academy, which has produced numerous top-tier talents. His departure from the club in 2022 was a painful experience, as he was let go despite his significant contributions.

After a brief stint with Pretoria Callies, Kopo joined Chippa United as a co-coach alongside Thabo September in January last season. This season, he assumed the role of head coach, while September serves as his assistant.

Reflecting on his departure from SuperSport, Kopo stated, “I didn’t leave SuperSport; SuperSport left me. “SuperSport decided that they are restructuring and unfortunately, I was amongst the people that, because I was in with the youth academy, I was amongst the people that got retrenched; I didn’t opt to leave SuperSport. 

“It was really difficult for me personally having spent 21 years at the club and we started the academy with that club. Never thought I would find myself in that situation, but we learn things in this football.” 

September, who spent over 15 years with SuperSport, won the DDC Challenge title in the 2022/23 season as their reserve team coach. As a player, September scored when SuperSport beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in the Nedbank Cup in the 2011/12 season under current coach Gavin Hunt in his first stint with the club.   

Kopo and September’s departure from SuperSport adds an extra layer of intrigue to Tuesday’s match. Last season, they led Chippa to a 2-0 victory over their former club in Pretoria.

Chippa has made a positive start to the current season, currently occupying sixth place in the Betway Premiership table with 10 points after seven matches, one point short from last season after the same number of matches. Kopo attributes this success to a strategic approach, dividing the league into six blocks of five games and setting specific point targets for each block.

“I think it has been a positive start for Chippa,” Kopo acknowledged. 

“I think what we have done to the guys, because Chippa is recognized as the relegation candidate team, it is important for us to prioritize results ahead of the play.  

“What we have done, we have divided the league matches into six blocks of five games. We have set ourselves a minimum target of seven or eight points from each block. In the first block, we had ended with Stellenbosch on seven points. In the second block, we started with Golden Arrows and we are on three points after two games (having lost to AmaZulu in their previous game). 

“Statistically, in the last five to 10 years, it has shown that if you have 40 plus points, you are in the top eight and 35 you are safe from relegation. 

“This season we are trying to get over 40-point mark. The position of the log at the moment is not a priority to us, I think this is for the spectators. 

“What is a priority for us is to accumulate the points within each block. The next game is SuperSport and that game will always be emotional for both myself and Thabo September. But God has given us an opportunity. They say when one door closes, another opens.  

“Now it is up for these players to put their hands up to show what they are capable of doing. Last season we played SuperSport in Pretoria and we beat them 2-0, but it’s going to be tough game.”