Leopards unveil new players

Black Leopards unveiled five new players, a technical manager and physical trainer during a media conference in Polokwane last Wednesday.

The new players are Lefa Hlungwane (from Jomo Cosmos), Khethukthula Zwane (Witbank Spurs), Zwivhuya Matombo (Kaizer Chiefs), Themba Ndlovu and Alton Kapinga from the NFD side, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC.

The new technical manager is Mr Stefano Cusin, while the well-known Italian mentor and fitness trainer, Jean Luca Sorini, will serve under head coach Joel Masutha and his assistant Morgan Shivambu.

Leopards coach, Mr Joel Masutha said at the conference that he is expecting a good working relationship with the new technical director for the benefit of the club. “I joined the club in 1995 and since then I have worked with 30 technical directors. I believe we are going to have a good working relationship for the benefit of everyone, so I don’t foresee any problem.”

The Italian tactician, Stefano Cusin has joined the club on a three-year contract. Cusin, who gained international prominence as coach in countries such as France, England and Bulgaria, also coached various clubs in Africa that include Congo’s national team. Cusin said he has been following South African football because he has been working in Africa for five years. “I used to work in Africa, so I know the league very well. I know all the best teams in the country and facilities during the World Cup and I have also started to study the players, coaches and how they play.”

Leopards’ general manager, Mr Tshifhiwa Thidiela said that they want to build a strong team. According to him the club’s preparation for the new season is going well and that they are not worried about the legal matter between Ajax Cape Town and PSL.

“There’s a case between Ajax Cape Town and the Premier League. We are Black Leopards and we are nowhere involved in that. We want to build a strong team and we want to finish the league in the highest position as possible,” he said.

Date:12 July 2018

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

Read: 3469