By: Refilwe Sebola
Former Black Leopards coach Joel Masutha has embarked on a new challenge after being appointed head coach of Mpumalanga-based side The Bees FC in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Masutha, a highly respected figure in South African football, parted ways with Black Leopards early in the new season. The Limpopo club subsequently appointed former Bafana Bafana striker Elliot Mabuti Khenyeza as his replacement.
Now 53, Masutha has wasted no time getting to work at The Bees, who are competing in the country’s second tier after earning promotion from the SAFA Second Division (ABC Motsepe League) following an impressive 2024/25 campaign.
However, his tenure began with a narrow setback as The Bees suffered a 1–0 away defeat to an in-form Casric Stars in his debut match in charge. Despite the loss, the experienced tactician remains focused on stabilising the newly promoted club.
Nicknamed “The Prophet” — a title inspired by both his name and his reputation for predicting and delivering results in difficult circumstances — Masutha is widely known as a “fixer” in the National First Division. Over the years he has developed a reputation for guiding struggling teams away from danger.
Before joining The Bees, Masutha briefly served as Technical Director at Musina United in the ABC Motsepe League.
His coaching résumé includes stints in the PSL and NFD with clubs such as Chippa United, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM), Pretoria Callies, Real Kings, Venda FC and Baroka FC.
Masutha’s most famous achievement came during his time with Black Leopards when he guided the club to promotion to the PSL through the 2017/18 promotion playoffs.
At The Bees, his immediate task is clear: steer the club away from the relegation battle. The Mpumalanga outfit currently sits third from bottom on the table, locked in a tense struggle with teams including Baroka FC and his former side Black Leopards.
Masutha will be hoping to secure his first points with the club this weekend when The Bees host Highbury FC. Highbury currently sit in 11th place, four points ahead of the hosts, making Sunday’s encounter a crucial opportunity for Masutha to begin turning the tide.
For a coach known for reviving struggling teams, The Bees will be hoping “The Prophet” can once again live up to his name.