Taperaaï¿½ï¿½s Leopards set camp in Swaziland

Noel Munzabwa

SOUTH Africaaï¿½ï¿½s National First Division outfit Black Leopards under Zimbabwe-born coach Jairos Tapera arrived in Swaziland on Sunday evening for a month-long training camp.

During their tour Tapera is expected to get a closer look into his players with four international friendly matches lined up for a strengths and weaknesses analysis with a possibility of player shopping.

Black Leopards will play the Hebert Maruwa-coached Green Mamba.

They might also play Mbabane Swallows, Royal Leopard and Mbabane Highlanders or even Manzini Sundowns.

There is only one Zimbabwean player, Blessing Sande now turning out for Green Mamba who could get a rare chance to showcase his skills in a bid to impress Leopards.

During the respective teams Monday trainings both Tapera and Maruwa aï¿½ï¿½ Caf A Coaching Licence class mates – could be seen sharing notes.

aï¿½?As part of our preparations we have undertaken this tour and little did I know I would meet my brother Herbert. We have a lot to share in terms of notes. Who knows some of his players may impress me as well,aï¿½? said Tapera.

The promotion winning former Mimosa FC (now FC Platinum) coach confirmed no Zimbabwean player was part of the Leopards side with reports suggesting How Mine coach Bernard Donovan turned down Lidoda Duvhaaï¿½ï¿½s overtures while Charles Sibanda is said to have been ruled out due to his age.

Dominic Chungwa was the other player who failed to impress.

In other news from Swaziland, Godfrey Tamirepi, Agent Sawu, Luke Masomere and Mandla Mpofu headline the shortlist of coaches for the Manzini Wanderers job where two unnamed players are also said to be trying their luck.

Wanderers general manager Patrick Gamedze confirmed that they were screening several international coaches.

aï¿½?ItAï¿½ is trueAï¿½ that we have receivedAï¿½ severalAï¿½Aï¿½ candidatesAï¿½Aï¿½ thatAï¿½ have shownAï¿½ interestAï¿½ toAï¿½ lead theAï¿½ team next seasonAï¿½ but IAï¿½ am notAï¿½ in a position toAï¿½ divulge namesAï¿½ for now.Aï¿½ We are hopingAï¿½Aï¿½ to conclude the exerciseAï¿½Aï¿½ in two weeks time and then inform our supporters on any developments,aï¿½? he said.