Masutha joins Maccabi FC

The former coach of Black Leopards and Chippa United, Mr Joel “Muporofita” Masutha, is now the head coach of the National First Division team, Maccabi FC.

Masutha parted ways with Black Leopards in December last year and joined Chippa United. After the team lost the first four league matches in a row, the management of the team decided to relieve Masutha from his post.

Mr Clinton Larsen was subsequently given the full responsibility for the team last Wednesday after Masutha’s charges lost 1-4 to Orlando Pirates. On Monday this week, Masutha was approached by Maccabi FC’s management and was offered a contract until the end of the season.

Masutha said that he had been given the mandate to ensure that the team completed the league programme in a safe position and not be relegated at the end of the season.

When asked as to whether that was achievable, Masutha stated that the mandate was not difficult for him, because they had a rock-solid squad. He said that he was building on the squad they relied upon.

Maccabi FC are currently languishing in the 10^th spot on the log. Masutha said that they still had 13 league matches to play and that it was still too early to talk about relegation.

 When asked which departments would be the first to be reinforced, Masutha said that he still needed more time to see the team before he could make such kind of recommendations to the management.

“We are confident that his vast experience with top clubs around the world will be good for our team. We are calling on our supporters to give him the necessary support. We are confident the combination with the assistant coach will bring joy and happiness to the club. We will bring changes where necessary and will stand by them,” said the chairperson of the team, Mr Norman Alan. He said that Masutha would work together with Moketi Tsotetsi as assistant coach. He said that they needed experience from Masutha as he had helped Leopards to win the promotional play-off.

Date:18 January 2019

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.

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