Black Leopards FC chairman Tshifhiwa Thidiela has explained the reasons behind the postponement of their upcoming Motsepe Foundation Championship clash.
Lidoda Duvha were scheduled to lock horns with Upington City FC in the third match of the 2025/26 season; however, the game has been postponed due to Leopards’ challenges in registering new players.
The Limpopo-based side is under a FIFA ban after inheriting the punishment from Cape Town All Stars, the club whose PSL status they purchased. The ban, which was imposed because All Stars failed to complete a required FIFA assessment, has left Leopards with a player shortage and a rocky start to the season.
In the first match of the campaign, Leopards suffered a 3-0 defeat against Casric Stars after fielding 10 players without a natural goalkeeper. In the second game, the Vhembe district outfit played to an entertaining 2-2 draw against AmaTuks despite all their troubles.
However, AmaTuks played the match under protest, stating that Leopards did not have enough under-23 players on the bench.
In addition, they’ve been using defender Thendo Mukumela between the sticks in the two matches played so far, as they are banned from registering new players. And with the registering of players seemingly taking longer than expected, PSL has postponed the match between Leopards and Upington this Saturday.
Chief Thidiela has assured the club’s supporters that Leopards will have all the issues resolved when they face Leicesterford City FC in about two weeks in Soweto.
WHAT BLACK LEOPARDS SAID ABOUT FIFA TRANSFER BAN
“The Premier Soccer League has given Black Leopards FC a lifeline by postponing their match against Upington City, which was scheduled for Saturday, 28th September at the Thohoyandou Stadium with a 15h00 kick off,” Leopards said in a statement.
“We are under a FIFA transfer ban, which was imposed on Cape Town All Stars for failing to do an assessment on the FIFA Clearing house portal. Now, since we purchased the Cape Town All Stars status a few years ago, we are facing the consequences.”
LEOPARDS THANK UPINGTON FOR AGREEING TO THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE MATCH
“We really thank the PSL for their assistance, and specifically Mr David Mogashoa and his team at Upington City for agreeing to postpone this match. This is a very difficult and stressful situation for us, as we would like to solve it as soon as possible,” explained Chief Thidiela, the Leopards chairman.
“We have indicated that we are ready to pay whatever is required; however, we have learnt that it is not just a matter of paying, the issue is having the assessment successfully, then the ban will be lifted. The challenge was that communication and access to everything were with Cape Town All Stars, and we could not access them.”
“Thidiela further stated that we are working around the clock to resolve the issue as they are now in possession of access and assured their supporters and football lovers that they should have a full squad when they face newly acquired Leicesterford City FC on Sunday, 28 September 2025, at the Dobsonville Stadium.”
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