New Phalaborwa United coach Abel Makhubele.
Phalaborwa United have strengthened their technical team ahead of the new ABC Motsepe League season by appointing former Black Leopards team manager Abel Makhubele as head coach.
Makhubele arrives with an impressive coaching pedigree, holding a CAF A Licence Coaching Diploma, a SAFA Pro Licence and a German B Licence, making him one of the most qualified coaches in the country’s lower divisions.
He joins Phalaborwa after leaving Black Leopards, where he served as assistant coach before being promoted to team manager.
Leopards were relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the ABC Motsepe League last season after being hit by a FIFA registration ban that prevented the club from registering new players. Although the sanction was eventually lifted, the club was unable to recover and dropped into the provincial ranks.
Before his stint at Leopards, Makhubele gained valuable experience in the Premier Soccer League, serving as assistant coach and later interim coach at Golden Arrows. Between 2021 and 2023, he also worked in various technical roles at Black Leopards, assisting several head coaches.
His arrival is expected to boost Phalaborwa United’s ambitions as they prepare for the new ABC Motsepe League campaign, where they will be aiming to challenge for promotion.
The upcoming season will also see Makhubele come up against his former employers, with Black Leopards set to compete in the same league following their relegation.
Phalaborwa United will be hoping Makhubele’s experience and qualifications can help guide the club to a successful campaign and mount a serious challenge for promotion.