Mikia Kalati
BLACK Leopards coach Joel Masutha says the Likuena duo of Tshwarelo Bereng and Luciano Matsoso are close to making their debuts for the side.
The duo, along with Tumelo Khutlang, joined the South African Premier League side in the off-season.
Khutlang has already played several games for the Limpopo outfit and also scored on his debut in August but his compatriots are still waiting for their chance.
The Lidoda Duvha coach said he is happy with the progress made by the three Likuena players, who are now in camp with the national team ahead of Saturday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations clash with Uganda in Kampala.
“They will get their chance, they are very close,” Masutha said.
“I think after the international break they will play. Bereng has played two games for our reserve team in the Multi Choice Diski tournament to help him remain fit.
“We also play regular friendlies for all players do not feature in our league and cup matches.”
Despite lack of game time for Bereng and Matsoso, Masutha stated that they have all settled well at Leopards.
“They have all adapted well but it took time for Luciano’s clearance to arrive from Poland while Bereng joined us late.
“Obviously at that time we had already worked on our combinations for the team and it was not easy to accommodate them. However, they are coping well and I think they now understand our playing style.
“All of them have always shown commitment and hunger in training and I’m very happy with what they have added to our team,” he said.
Bereng admitted that he is hungry to get his career started at Leopards having joined the club as a free agent since parting ways with Chippa United last season.
“I need game time but I understand that the other players are doing well. I think the team is getting there and the coach has to give all those players that helped them win promotion to the Premier League a chance to prove themselves,” Bereng said.
Lidoda Duvha are 12th on the log with eight points from their eight matches. They have two victories, two draws and have lost four. On Sunday the side lost 1-0 away to Golden Arrows in Durban.
