Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Simon Gopane has returned to Motsepe Foundation Championship side Black Leopards, FARPost has learnt.
Leopards are back at training at the base in Polokwane ahead of the 2025/26 season in the second-tier league.
The club missed out on the PSL Promotional/Relegation playoffs spot by only one point last season. They finished fourth under the guidance of Joel Masutha, who was assisted by Abel Makhubela.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF FORMER BAFANA BAFANA GOALKEEPER SIMON GOPANE AT MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP SIDE?
Gopane, who was part of the FIFA World Cup in 1998 with Bafana Bafana, has returned to his previous role as a goalkeeper coach.
At some point, Gopane served as an assistant coach at now-defunct Royal AM in 2022. He later moved to Black Leopards, where he spent the 2023/24 season before leaving the club.
This publication has since gathered that Gopane has now returned and will be working alongside head coach Joel Masutha.
Another coach who was linked with a move to Lidoda Duvha is former Baroka FC coach Foster Hlongwane. But it remains to be seen whether the move will materialise.
BLACK LEOPARDS LET GO OF SOME KEY PLAYERS AHEAD OF THE NEW SEASON
Meanwhile, as FARPost has earlier reported, Leopards have parted ways with some of the key players in the squad. This includes defender and former captain Tsepo Matsimbi.
Matsimbi has left to join Betway Premiership side Sekhukhune United. He has already featured for the club in both the MTN8 and the win against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership at Orlando Stadium over the weekend.
Another long-serving player who has left the club is goalkeeper Mashudu Makhavhu. Makhavhu, who has since joined Polokwane City FC, had been part of Leopards since the 2022/23 season. He featured in 17 games for the club over the three seasons. He was on the bench in the opening two matches of Rise and Shine.
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