Black Leopards part ways with two key players

Black Leopards will be without two of their key players when the activities for the new season start in two weeks’ time. Mr Tshifhiwa Thidiela, the director of the team, revealed that they had parted ways with the team’s all-rounder, Thabo Matlaba, and the overlapping right back, Khuliso Mudau.

Thidiela said that Matlaba had requested to be released way back in June. The Thembisa-born playmaker cited family issues to back up his request to be released before the expiry of his contract. Thidiela said that after listening to Matlaba’s story, the club concluded that releasing the player would be in the best interests of both parties.

Matlaba’s contract was due to expire on 30 June next year. The former Orlando Pirates skipper joined Black Leopards on 1 July last year on a two-year deal. He scored two goals in the 24 games he played for the Thohoyandou side.

Matlaba took less than a week to find a new job after parting ways with Leopards. He signed a two-year contract with the newly promoted DStv Premiership side, Swallows FC, last Saturday. Speaking from his home in Thembisa shortly after his return from the team’s training session on Monday evening, Matlaba said that Black Leopards had revived his football career after his relationship with Orlando Pirates had come to an end unceremoniously two years ago.

Thidiela also revealed that Khuliso Mudau was released, following a request from Mamelodi Sundowns FC. According to Thidiela, Mudau’s contract was due to expire at the end of next season.

The 25-year-old Mudau joined Black Leopards from the National First Division side, Magezi FC, in 2017. Thidiela said that they would soon make an announcement regarding their new signees and their plans for the new season.

Sport - Date: 08 October 2020

Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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