Africa-Press – Botswana. Philimon ‘The Phil’ Makwengwe has made his big break after landing the technical director’s role at South African GladAfrica Championship side, Black Leopards.
Makwengwe joined the Limpopo side on a three-year deal this month. However, his immediate task is not a pleasant excursion as he has to save ‘Lidoda Duvha’ from relegation. The team is at the bottom of the 16-team table, with 20 points from 23 games. Makwengwe’s arrival has been hailed as the team has not lost in the last three games, where he helped analyse matches. He was previously with Orapa United as a technical director, and the Leopards job is his first major assignment abroad.
In the GladAfrica Championship, Makwengwe’s Leopards compete against Kelapile Moshe ‘Zim Dollar’ Ndlovu’s Pretoria Callies. Ndlovu’s side are also in the relegation scrap as Callies sit just five points and four positions above Leopards. Opak Sports Villa was instrumental in Makwengwe’s move. Naledi Mphahlele, placement manager at Opak Sports Villa said the former Gaborone United coach could have joined Leopards much earlier. “I must say I am very happy with Phil’s move and honestly speaking, he could have long joined Lidoda Dubha, before Orapa United. COVID-19 messed up our plans, but we never gave up. We knew ‘Lidoda Duvha’ meaning the day will come,” Mphahlele said. She also said Makwengwe’s move could potentially open doors for other local coaches. “For coaches, its all about having a good manager with good connections plus patience. I have a very good relationship with a number of clubs in South Africa. So facilitating these is never a struggle.
Even the late Major David Bright, I am the one who sent him to Black Leopards last time,” she said. Meanwhile, Leopards coach, Joel Masutha told the media in South Africa, his position was not under immediate threat following Makwengwe’s arrival. “I am not worried about my job as I have a good relationship with David Thidiela (Leopards owner).
I know Thidiela very well and (I would know) if he was not happy with me. I communicate with him (Thidiela) all the time and has assured me that he has full trust in me to help Leopards survive relegation” Masutha is quoted as saying. “What is important to me is to make sure Leopards survive relegation. Anyone who comes to the team to help is welcome.” Makwengwe joins Bright as the only two Botswana coaches to get appointments with South African sides.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
