Mikia Kalati
LIKUENA midfielder Tshwarelo Bereng is enjoying a new lease of life at Black Leopards under Englishman Dylan Kerr who replaced former coach Joel Masutha in November last year.
Leopards are unbeaten since Kerr’s appointment and have also fielded the Likuena midfielder in all the three games since he took over the reins at the club.
While the talented midfielder said he will always be grateful to Masutha for giving his career a lifeline with a two-year contract at Lidoda Duvha at the beginning of this season, Bereng says he is enjoying his football again playing under Kerr.
The Lesotho international has two goals from his last three matches and has helped Leopards move away from the danger zone in the South African Premier Soccer League.
The 28-year-old midfielder won the man of the match award after scoring the second goal in the 3-1 win over Amazulu before going into the Christmas break and was once again among the goal scorers as Leopards opened the New Year with a 2-1 victory over Baroka in the Limpopo derby.
“It has been a good feeling being among the goal scorers and it shows that hard work pays off,” Bereng said.
“Yes, I’m enjoying my football under the new coach because he is an honest and straight forward coach. It has been easy for me to express myself under him.”
The attacking midfielder feels his impressive run in front of goal could also be due to the free role he is playing giving him regular chances at scoring.
“I like playing behind the strikers but most of the coaches like a box-to-box midfielder. But, for me it’s much easier when I play closer to the goal area.
“My confidence is also improving and it’s where I want it so hopefully it’s the beginning of good things to come for me.
“I also hope to score my first goal for Likuena but the team needs to relax and believe in themselves so that we all share the responsibilities collectively,” he said.
However, things have not looked good for his Likuena teammates Tumelo Khutlang and Luciano Matsoso, who are also playing for the Limpopo outfit.
Khutlang was a regular under Masutha but has not played since the arrival of Kerr while Matsoso recently returned to action after a two-month absence with an injury.
Matsoso hinted that he will explore his other options if he continues to struggle for game time at Leopards.
Elsewhere, former Likuena captain Lehlohonolo Seema enjoyed a winning start in his first match as a co-coach with John Maduka at Bloemfontein Celtic beating Chippa United 1-0.
The duo has been given another spell in charge of the financially troubled Free State outfit following the resignation of head coach Steve Komphela.
