The relationship between Black Leopards FC and head coach Mr Mabhuti Khenyeza is now a thing of the past. According to club chairman Mr Tshifhiwa Thidiela, the two parties agreed to part ways amicably following a string of poor results, the latest being a 2-0 defeat to Gomora United at Malamulele Stadium last Saturday.
Khenyeza was absent from the team’s technical bench during the match, with his assistant, Mr Abel Makhubele, taking charge. Thidiela said the decision to part ways was reached after it became clear that the team’s future was bleak under Khenyeza’s guidance.
The 43-year-old mentor had taken over from Mr Joel Masutha in November last year, when Black Leopards were bottom of the table with seven points. Despite overseeing the team for ten games, Khenyeza was unable to lift the club out of the relegation zone. Lidoda duvha remain at the tail end of the log with 12 points.
In an interview on Monday evening, Khenyeza said there is no bad blood between him and the club. He confirmed that he was given ample opportunity to prove his capabilities, but things did not go his way.
Thidiela revealed that Mr Duncan Lechesa and Mr Sundra Govinder have been appointed as co-coaches with immediate effect. Lechesa previously coached Polokwane City, Venda Football Club, and Marumo Gallants, while Govinder is the former coach of Casric Stars.
Both Lechesa and Govinder attended last Saturday’s game from the grandstand. Their debut league match at the helm of Black Leopards will be against Hungry Lions at Thohoyandou Stadium next Sunday, 1 March.