Former Baroka head coach Juel Masutha set to make a return to Black Leopards.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Former Moroka Swallows coach, Jose “Zeca” Marques, has joined National First Division (NFD) side Black Leopards on a three-month contract.
The Portuguese-born coach started training with the players this week on Tuesday. He replaces Ghanaian coach Maxwell Konadu and his assistant, Solly Luvhengo, after they managed to win only once in eight games, failing to improve the club’s standing in the league.
Marques is assisted by the highly qualified and experienced coach Abel Makhubele, who is making a return to the club after previously coaching it during his tenure in the PSL under coach Vladislav Heric.
Makhubele also worked with coach Serame Letsoaka at Golden Arrows in the PSL from 2011 to 2013.
However, there is now a dilemma at the club. Recently, it has been reliably reported that former Baroka coach Joel Masutha is also making a return following his resignation from Baroka.
This raises questions regarding Masutha’s role, especially since Marques has already assumed the position of head coach. Rumors suggest that changes will occur within the technical team. Masutha may be appointed as head coach, with Abel Makhubele as his assistant, while Marques could transition to the role of Technical Director.
These changes are not surprising, as Masutha is likely favoured for his previous achievements with the club. In 2018, he successfully promoted Leopards back to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after the club had spent over four years out of the elite league. This promotion marked the third time Leopards regained their PSL status, having faced relegations twice before.
The club was first promoted to the PSL in 2002 but was demoted to the NFD in 2008 after seven years. They returned to the PSL for a second time in 2012, only to be relegated again in 2013, before ultimately achieving promotion in 2018 under Masutha’s guidance.