WeeklySA_AdminRELIEF: The Limpopo outfit gets permission to register players while their case is still under investigation…
By Masoja Cele
Motsepe Foundation Championship side Black Leopards received an early Christmas gift from FIFA after the soccer governing body granted them permission to register new players for the 2025/26 season.
Since the start of the current championship season Leopards have struggled to field a complete team. At the end of the 2024/25 campaign, the club released most of its players with the intention of bringing in new playing personnel.
But, because the world football governing body had sanctioned All Stars, Leopards couldn’t register new players, turning into a blunt issue for the Limpopo club.
The Venda-based side’s impasse with FIFA stems from its purchase of the status of Cape Town All Stars. The now defunct Western Cape outfit had a transfer ban from FIFA due to an outstanding row involving the compensation of a Stars player.
In their opening fixture against Casric Stars Leopards, they only fielded 10 players, with defender and captain Thendo Mukumela playing as a goalkeeper. Leopards lost the match 3-0.
Leopards are still to face the PSL Disciplinary Committee for failing to field two under-23 players during their two matches against the University of Pretoria and Lerumo Lions.
For all Championship fixtures, all the teams are required to include five under-23 players, with at least two on the field at times.
FIFA has now granted Black Leopards permission to register players while their case is still under investigation. It is not clear when the matter will be finally laid to rest.
Lidoda Duvha had already signed players like Zukile Mkhize from Royal AM, Tshenzhelani Radzadzhi from Baroka FC, while goalkeeper Llyod Kazapua was signed from Sekhukhune United.
However, these players could not be fielded as the ban was still active.
