After escaping the relegation axe by a hair last season, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC (TTM) are now determined to compete for promotion. To prove that they really mean business, TTM appointed the former Venda Football Academy (VFA) head coach, Mr Johnny Ferreira.
According to the president of the club, Mr Masala Mulaudzi, the 65-year-old mentor's appointment comes into effect from today (Friday 1 July).
When asked about the future of the current head coach of the team, Mr Lucky "King Mchichwa" Nelukau, Mulaudzi was quick to mention that Nelukau was going nowhere. According to him, Nelukau will work as a co-coach with the former Polokwane City mentor. He said the club had invested a lot in Nelukau over the past years and that partying ways with him without a valid reason would be inhumane.
He added that their decision to appoint Ferreira was reached after acquiring the services of several vastly experienced players. They needed someone who would be a father-figure to both the technical team and the players and that, after close scrutiny of the applicants for the job, Mr Ferreira was found to be the most suitable candidate.
Asked about the rumour doing the rounds regarding his personal relationship with Nelukau, which is said to be sour, Mulaudzi said that the bitterness of his personal relationship with the team's coach had nothing to do with Nelukau's coaching job at TTM. He stressed that Nelukau was working for TTM and not for him as a person.
"People should be able to draw a line between Masala Mulaudzi and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC," he said.
Asked to elaborate on which experienced players will be parading in TTM's colours when the new season starts, Mulaudzi said that they would soon make an announcement regarding their new signees.
Reliable sources told Limpopo Mirror that some of the club's new recruits include Eden Nene, Innocent Mkhabela, Thabiso Nkoana, Thabo Moloi, Cheslyn Jampies and the Senegalese international, Isa Saar. The new coach, Mr Ferreira, could not be reached for comment at the time of our going to press as his phone was always on voicemail.