THOHOYANDOU – The coach of Black Leopards Football Club, Mr Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, has dismissed the report that he is on the verge of leaving Black Leopards Football Club as baseless rumours. This follows a report that appeared on a website of a well-known soccer magazine last week.

In the report it was indicated that the team’s poor results were influenced by the fact that Shakes was not on good terms with the management of the team. The report also linked the former national team coach with Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club.

“I normally do not respond those kind of stories, because the writer did not reveal his name, apart from the fact that he did not talk to me before writing it. I will be playing in the hands of my rivals if I respond to such stories,” he said.

Mashaba stated that he was still happy with Black Leopards, apart from the fact that he was still contracted to the club. According to him, his contract will expire at the end of this season. He stated that he was professionally employed by Black Leopards and that those who think he can leave before the end of his contract, must think again.

According to him, the people who are spreading that rumour want to bring instability to the club. He said that his aim was to see his team finishing the league among the top three, if their dream of bringing the league trophy to Thohoyandou does not become a reality.

In an interview, the managing director of the team, Mr David Thidiela, indicated that their relationship with Mashaba was still intact. According to him, there has been nothing thus far that may cause them to terminate their contract with Mashaba, saying the man was doing what was expected of him.

He reiterated the fact that the people who are formulating the “baseless rumours” want to see the downfall of his club. Mashaba was on the Leopards bench when his team beat Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club 2-1 at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Saturday.