Motsepe Foundation Championship side Black Leopards and coach Joel Masutha are on the verge of a separation after 10 matches into the 2025/26 season, FARPost has learnt.
Masutha returned to the club last season after a short stint at neighbours Baroka FC. At the time, the former Chippa United coach had taken over from Zeca Marques.
He went on to finish fourth on the log, missing out on a PSL promotion playoff spot by just one point. Masutha and Leopards continued the union going into the current National First Division season.
WHAT IS THE LATEST REGARDING JOEL MASUTHA’S FUTURE AT BLACK LEOPARDS?
FARPost has established that Masutha was a notable absentee during the club training session in Polokwane on Monday.
It appears the club and the coach are finalising finer details before they officially part ways. The separation comes a few days after the club suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cape Town City FC at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday. It was a league tie.
MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP SIDE ROOTED AT THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE LOG
Leopards are currently third from the bottom of the log in the second-tier league with nine points from their opening 10 matches. They are just two points above Baroka FC, who are at the bottom of the table.
In the opening 10 matches of the season, the club played the first four amid confusion over a FIFA ban.
This resulted in the club being unable to utilise its new players and, subsequently, playing without the required number of underage players. They also played their first match with 10 players, using captain and defender Thendo Mukumela as the goalkeeper.
Leopards have so far collected two wins with three draws, and five defeats. They are set to play the Vhembe Derby against rivals Venda FC after the FIFA international break.
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