Leopards part ways with coach and hire Minnaert

Black Leopards parted ways with their coach, Mr Jean Lusciuto, last Wednesday. The two parties agreed to end the relationship after the team had failed to collect points in their last match. Leopards subsequently appointed a new coach, Mr Ivan Minnaert from Belgium.

The management's decision not to keep the coach did not come as shock to the supporters. Leopards’ spokesperson, Mr Alijah Mulaudzi, confirmed Lusciuto’s departure. He revealed that it was not easy to say goodbye to Lusciuto.  According to him, Lusciuto’s contract with the club was terminated last Wednesday, due to what was termed as ‘irreconcilable differences’. “Life in the First Division is tough and we are ambitious, with a goal to achieve, and therefore we had to go for the best,” said Mulaudzi.

Lusciuto remarked that, after Leopards lost the match against Jomo Cosmos 2-1 the previous week, he felt that it was time he gave way to someone who could come up with new ideas. “I did everything within my power, but as a coach I cannot get into the field of play and kick the ball myself,” he said. Lusciuto said that the move would benefit both himself and the club. He admitted that it was not easy for him to arrive at the decision, considering the fact that he had a contract with the club.

The new coach, Mr Ivan Minnaert, indicated in an interview that his mandate with the team was clear and achievable, which was to make sure that the team returned to the Absa Premiership at the end of next season. Minnaert says that his side focused on attacking football in training this week and that preparing for the Umthatha Bucs match was difficult.

“We have been focussing on attacking football and will go out and play attacking football. We conceded some late goals, but we want to go and score two or three goals. We expect a hard game, since Bucs are a closed book,” said Minnaert.

Sport - Date: 16 November 2017

Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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