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Chippa United to be marketed by Putco Mafani

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In a long awaited move, Eastern Cape based former Kaizer Chiefs PRO and Communications guru Putco Mafani has joined forces with Port Elizabeth’s Chippa United Football Club as its Manager: Marketing, Branding and Communications as of 1 November 2014.

Mafani was introduced to the media at the club’s home ground, the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium today.

Siviwe Chippa Mpengesi, chairman of Chippa United is a happy man, “Since the opening of the season that coincided with our move to the Eastern Cape, we have been mostly focusing on the club’s on field strength plus stability and now that we seem to have found our rhythm, the next best thing was to take our management and administration to another level. The brand of Chippa United is a growing and aspirational brand, so we thought a person of Putco Mafani’s calibre would be ideal to help take us there with his knowledge, talent and experience” said Mpengesi who could not be at the media briefing in person due to unforeseeable circumstances.

Mpengesi said Mafani will be tasked mostly with the responsibility to grow the Chippa United brand with all stake holders, the media and residents of the province of the Eastern Cape and creatively make the club’s home games a compelling experience to be in “Our business stake holder management is a critical component of the game and Putco will drive our image and serve us, as the voice of Chippa United nationally and beyond”, he said.

Introduced to the media by the club’s CEO Peter Koutroulis who knows Mafani from the days gone by while Koutroulis was at Mamelodi Sundowns, Mafani said he was happy to be given an opportunity to contribute in professional football again. “I have been waiting for this moment, another chance for me to work with the beautiful game and interact with football lovers. Every new environment has its unique challenges and I am willing to learn the culture here and make positive impact in the growth of the club by recruiting supporters and building home game attendances and the vibe desired by the people of my own province. I think Chippa United deserves the support of all of us, from the corporate citizen of the province to the man on the street”, said the PSL award winning PRO recognized internationally for his role in saving lives during the Soweto derby 2001 Ellis Park disaster.

Mafani said he will not be lost to his beloved BEE radio show on Umhlobo Wenene FM but will find time with his listeners in the week day mornings before heading to his Chilli Boys office. “There is no conflict instead the station is a strategic partner of the Chilli Boys and this will make my work even more enjoyable. I am glad I will be able to carry many listeners, even those who support other bigger old clubs in the Eastern Cape and beyond, get them to double up and support United also, because this is our club, our team, our pride and it’s hot – iyababanjengopelepele” boasted Mafani.

Coming with all the positivity, the dedication and the passion he is known for, in soccer circles then football will never be the same in the Eastern Cape as Putco started driving supporters on Monday for the club’s next home PSL match against Bidvest Wits on Wednesday, 05 November 2014 at 19:30 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Mafani is expected to inject fun, energy and loyalty to supporters he will be bringing to the Bay stadium.

Outgoing Communications Manager Lukhanyo Mzinziwill now serve as Acting Chief Operations Officer, the position vacated by Thabiso Shoes Mekuto who left the club two months ago.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.