Leopards and Chokoe part ways

The relationship between Black Leopards and the team’s assistant coach, Mr Sello Chokoe, came to an abrupt end last week. This follows the diminutive mentor’s decision to tender his resignation from the club last Wednesday.

In an interview with Limpopo Mirror, Chokoe cited the pressure relating to his studies as the reason that prompted him to say goodbye to the Thohoyandou outfit. He added that there was a coaching course that he must attend in the next five months.

The spokesperson for the club, Mr Berry Ramunenyiwa, confirmed the move, saying it was not easy for them to come to terms with Chokoe’s departure. He said that Chokoe had contributed significantly to bringing the team to where it was today. Chokoe joined Black Leopards towards the end of last season. He succeeded the Serbian national, Mr Kostadin Papic.

Chokoe guided Black Leopards in their last seven league matches last season. The team won four and drew three with Chokoe as the caretaker-coach. He served as an assistant to the former head coach, Mr Jairos Tapera, who left Lidoda Duvha after six matches this season.

He continued to work as assistant to the new head coach, Mr Jeff Loscuito. When asked about the other developments in the club, Ramunenyiwa said that they had offloaded three more players apart from Roggert Nyundu, who joined Amazulu. He said that they released a defender, Katlego Molomo, Thembisani Nevhulamba (striker) and Avhashoni Tshinuna (goalkeeper).

Tshinuna has since joined the Absa Premiership side, Baroka FC. He was playing for Baroka FC before joining Black Leopards two seasons ago. Nevhulamba was still trying his luck with the Polokwane-based NFD side, Magezi FC, at the time of our going to press.

Ramunenyiwa further revealed that Lidoda Duvha have signed a goalkeeper, Tyson Muleka, from Baroka FC in a bid to beef up their defence.

Sport - Date: 20 January 2017

Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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