BLACK Leopards will contest the National First Division with a brand-new squad after selling the bulk of their experienced stars when they were relegated from the Absa Premiership.
Leopards chairman David Thidiela said the technical staff, led by former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs coach Kostadin Papic, were finalising the team for the 2013-2014 season.
With the NFD laws requiring clubs to have five under-23 players in the starting lineup, Thidiela said most of their new signings were from amateur leagues.
"It's not a big deal for me because we have our feeder club, known as Phungo All Stars, campaigning in the Safa Second Division League in Limpopo," Thidiela said.
"We have recruited no less than 15 boys, who have been training under our new coach. We will be ready when the league kicks off on August 31.
"Our aim is to spend only one season in the NFD.
"Limpopo deserves more representation in the Premier Soccer League."
Asked how many senior players were in the team for the NFD campaign, Thidiela said: "It will be very few, I have a meeting with the remaining group."
Some of the big-name players who have left Leopards are Rodney Ramagalela and Raymond Monama, who joined Mamelodi Sundowns, and former captain Mongezi Bobe, who is now on the books of Free State Stars.
The club's new spokesman, Barry Ramunenyiwa, said: "We have been playing a series of friendlies where coach Kosta is trying various combinations. Everything is going according to plan and we will fight for automatic promotion to the PSL because getting involved in the promotional play-offs is like playing the Lotto."
Leopards boast new look for NFD
BLACK Leopards will contest the National First Division with a brand-new squad after selling the bulk of their experienced stars when they were relegated from the Absa Premiership.
Leopards chairman David Thidiela said the technical staff, led by former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs coach Kostadin Papic, were finalising the team for the 2013-2014 season.
With the NFD laws requiring clubs to have five under-23 players in the starting lineup, Thidiela said most of their new signings were from amateur leagues.
"It's not a big deal for me because we have our feeder club, known as Phungo All Stars, campaigning in the Safa Second Division League in Limpopo," Thidiela said.
"We have recruited no less than 15 boys, who have been training under our new coach. We will be ready when the league kicks off on August 31.
"Our aim is to spend only one season in the NFD.
"Limpopo deserves more representation in the Premier Soccer League."
Asked how many senior players were in the team for the NFD campaign, Thidiela said: "It will be very few, I have a meeting with the remaining group."
Some of the big-name players who have left Leopards are Rodney Ramagalela and Raymond Monama, who joined Mamelodi Sundowns, and former captain Mongezi Bobe, who is now on the books of Free State Stars.
The club's new spokesman, Barry Ramunenyiwa, said: "We have been playing a series of friendlies where coach Kosta is trying various combinations. Everything is going according to plan and we will fight for automatic promotion to the PSL because getting involved in the promotional play-offs is like playing the Lotto."
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