Chippa United coach Kurt Lentjies will take to the field for 27 minutes in celebration of the club’s escape from relegation.
Lentjies took over from Gavin Hunt in January when the Chilli Boys were staring down the barrel at the bottom of the table but has since masterminded their great escape to secure the Chilli Boys’ DStv Premiership status for another season.
And the 36-year-old reveals that there was an agreement in place that if he could lead the side to safety he would be able take to the field as an outfield player for the final match of.
So Chippa United coach Kurt Lentjies will not be on the bench coaching in their last match against TS Galaxy. Lentjies will be on the field playing and having fun in celebration of saving the club from relegation. What a joke!
— Banele Pikwa (@BanzaRP) May 16, 2022
“As the chairman [Siviwe Mpengesi] promised me after I played my last game against Maritzburg United, I will definitely walk into the field to play 27 minutes this last game for my farewell,” Lentjies told reporters after the match.
“I will play for 27 minutes and coach the rest. That’s our agreement with the chairman.
“I got the opportunity halfway through the season as a player going into the coaching industry. This job just came my way. God blessed me with the opportunity to coach,” he said.
Chippa United coach Kurt Lentjies will return to the field and play in their final match against TS Galaxy on Saturday as a celebration, after he saved the club from relegation. https://t.co/diwn7i4248
— Daily Dispatch (@Dispatch_DD) May 16, 2022
“I had to decide whether I hang up the boots to coach these guys, which I’m enjoying very much. I’m happy the most important thing is we secured our status for next season so we can start building.”
