With only seven days to go before the activities for the new season start, Black Leopards have every reason to believe that they are ready to face the Absa Premiership heat.

The activities for the new season will effectively commence next Friday, August 12. As one of their many ways to prepare for the new season, Lidoda Duvha have beefed up their squad by acquiring the services of a number of experienced players.

Their latest acquisitions include a defender, Humphery Khoza, from Witbank Spurs. Khosa entered into a three-year contract with Leopards, after failing to secure a contract with Orlando Pirates. Thabo Mongalo, who last played for Black Leopards four years ago before moving to Supersport United, is back in the Leopards camp again. When his contract with Supersport expired last month, Mongalo tried his luck with Bloemfontein Celtic, where he failed to convince the team’s technical staff. He then moved to Leopards, where he was welcomed with open arms. Mongalo proved his worth when he scored the only goal when Leopards beat Ajax Cape Town 1-0 in their semi-final match for the Old Mutual Mangaung Cup that was played at the Botshabelo Stadium in the Free State last Sunday.

Leopards’ general manager, Mr Samuel Khaphathe, has also confirmed the presence of the two strikers Abdulwaheed Afolabi from Nigeria and Kingston Nkhatha from Zimbabwe. Nkhatha was part of the team that played against Ajax Cape Town last Sunday.

Apart from their latest acquisitions, Lidoda Duvha roped in two experienced players, goalkeeper Postnet Omony from Vasco da Gama and the former national U/23 midfielder, Bafana Sibeko, three weeks ago.

Leopards will open the new season by hosting Orlando Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane next Friday evening.