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SOLDIERING ON: Black Leopards are facing a huge financial challenge as a result of their African expeditions, and costs will rise if they beat Al-Merreikh on Saturday at Ellis Park. Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images

 I know how difficult it is out there. But playing the second leg at home, I think Leopards will have a better chance of victory 

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Success so far in the CAF Confederation Cup has come at a price for Leopards, who have had to travel to Zimbabwe, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and, most recently, Sudan.

And costs could rise even higher if the Limpopo-based club should overcome Sudan club Al-Merreikh, whom they host at Ellis Park in the second leg of a preliminary round cup match on Saturday at 3pm.

"We spent about R600000 for our trip to DR Congo in April," said Leopards brand manager Tshifhiwa Thidiela yesterday.

"The hotel was not up to standard and we were forced to make new hotel reservations.

"It's a huge financial challenge for the club."

The Premier Soccer League has pledged R1m each to Leopards and Orlando Pirates, who played in the Champions League.

David said the club had sent a letter to the sports ministry two days ago.

"We've also asked Sasol for finance and I'll have to go back to the PSL, if need be. Safa has been very supportive so far. But we'll keep knocking on doors."

Participation in Confederation of African Football tournaments has often posed financial challenges for local clubs and Kaizer Chiefs dumped the "costly" Confederation Cup in 2005. CAF subsequently banned Chiefs from African club competitions until 2009. The Soweto giants have not bothered with African competitions since.

But Leopards see things differently, and have received moral support from Bafana coach Gordon Igesund. "Leopards are new in the tournament but they have impressed so far," Igesund said.

"I know how difficult it is out there. But playing the second leg at home, I think Leopards will have a better chance of victory."

Comments

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Mon May 20 02:02:45 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 12, 2012

BRA-MAFUTHA

Will give you all the support the Thohoyandou boys.. I am definitely buying a ticket for this one come Saturday
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Jul 12, 2012

Stumaeza

David Thidiela pls stop making excuses...you knew all along that this tournament is not worth it but you joined the tournament or you were not thinking that your team could go this far.
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Jul 12, 2012

Simosakhe

Keep it up Limpopo Boys....You will succeed!

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Jul 12, 2012

Publc2

Participation in Confederation of African Football tournaments has often posed financial challenges for local clubs and Kaizer Chiefs dumped the "costly" Confederation Cup in 2005.
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CORRECTED VERSION OF THE ABOVE:

Participation in Confederation of African Football tournaments has often posed financial challenges for local POOR clubs such as Kaizer Chiefs and they dumped the "costly" Confederation Cup in 2005.
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Jul 12, 2012

Stumaeza

@Publc2
Do you know the meaning of POOR?
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Jul 12, 2012

Mhungumbye

@Publc2 u are spot on my outie, Imagine poor team like the one that has been covered by sowetan shun these competitions what about the poor of the poorest teams eg (Black Leopards).

But again how did Pirates managed to survive with a shoestring budget back then?
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Jul 12, 2012

Publc2

Stumaeza
@Publc2
Do you know the meaning of POOR?
===================================

Bosso ke-Pirates. Bosso ke-Leopards and the rest Yalo mut put them on the centenary torch where juju is sitting.Or otherwise their genetals must be at the Goodman gallary.Kikikikiki
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Jul 12, 2012

guiliano

Minister(Mbalula) give them the money.
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Jul 12, 2012

Publc2

Stumaeza
@Publc2
Do you know the meaning of POOR?
================================

At what grade did you drop school? or just visit your little oxford dictionary.

Poor means (With very little money or other resourses.Cannot afford)
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Jul 12, 2012

Ngenkani

@Publc2 and Mhungumbye, it's not like Chiefs only participated once "They once won this CAF Confederation Cup remember". in year 2005 Chiefs was also chasing the Castle PSL Championship and they won it. Yes it is costly to participate in the CAF Confederation Cup and it doesn't worth that much. Yes Chiefs is POOR and the other 15 PSL Teams are Rich.
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