Black Leopards will a strong force to be reckoned with when the activities for the new season start in two months’ time, if the team’s head coach, Mr Bibey Mutombo’s words are anything to go by. Mutombo, who has just returned from his African scouting tour, is adamant that people will see a brand new Leopards team come next season.

He revealed that, although the search for quality players was still on, they had already signed two DRC internationals, Luba Nzadio and Mwamba Kakanda. Nzadio is a defender while Kakanda is a midfielder-cum-striker. The duo have played 17 and 7 caps respectively for their home country, The Democratic Republic of Congo.

When asked as to how good the players are, Mutombo said that he has known the two players for a long time and what they are capable of. He reiterated that they are searching for more quality players as their aim is to challenge for silverware next season.

“We released 16 players at the end of last season and we want to replace them with high performers,” he said. Mutombo admitted that it was sad for him to see his side failing to finish within the top 8 bracket last season.

Mutombo joined his team for a pre-season training on Monday this week. The team has been training under the watchful eye of their assistant coach, Mr Reginald Matloga, during the past two weeks. The Thohoyandou outfit are still searching for goalkeepers as they released all their three keepers, Guy Mutshi, Mashudu Mamphitha and Johannes Diale, on transfer at the end of last season.

Some of the 16 players who were said not to be in the coach’s plans for the new season include, Sibusiso Dlamini, Allan Kamanga, Eric Ramavhale, Samuel Ngobeni, Dan Semake, Mpho Kekana, Nathaniel Maise and their left back, James Mainga.