With only two weeks with Black Leopards, the team's new coach, Mr Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba has big plans in mind for the Thohoyandou outfit. In an interview with senior correspondent of Mirror, Frank Mavhungu, Mr Mashaba revealed some of his plans …

Frank: You have recently parted ways with your previous employer, the South African Football Association (Safa) and decided to join a small rural club, Black Leopards when everybody thought you would consider offers from the so-called big guns. Don't you feel like you have relegated yourself in a way as a former national team coach?

Shakes: No, all clubs that are campaigning in the Castle Premiership Division have equal status whether they are based in the rural or urban areas. Members of Black Leopards' management were the first to approach me and as their offer was attractive, I had no choice, but to take it.

Frank: You watched Black Leopards beating Zulu Royals 1-0 at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Saturday. What was your impression about the team's performance?

Shakes: There are a lot of things to be done. We created a lot of clear chances and wasted them. We could have won that match by a wider margin. I still have to sit down with the management of the team and shape up the way forward.

Frank: You are playing Orlando Pirates at the Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday in a Top 32 Absa Cup fixture. How do you see your chances in this competition?

Shakes: You have asked me a difficult question to answer, as you are aware that every cup match is a do-or-die match. Nevertheless, I hope that we will reach the final stage of the competition in order to restore the team's lost pride.

Frank: Where do you want to see Black Leopards at the end of the current season?

Shakes: We are now lying in the eighth position on the log and it is my wish to see the team maintaining their position or improving a bit by moving to the seventh or sixth position at the end of the season. We must participate in the SAA Supa 8 KO Competition next season and that I assure you that this will happen.

Frank: What are your short and long term plans with the club?

Shakes: Like I have already mentioned, my short-term plans include seeing Black Leopards finishing the league programme among the top eight teams so that we can start the new season on a higher note. As you are aware that I have signed a two-year contract with the club, I am looking forward to see the club rated among the big five in the country at the end of my contract. That will however need a lot of hard work.