Motsepe Foundation Championship side Baroka FC have appointed Joel Masutha as the new head coach. Masutha takes over from Foster Hlongwane who has been in charge on an interim basis.
The former Black Leopards coach, Masutha, was at the Global Stadium in Lebowakgomo on Saturday when Baroka beat Leruma United 3-1 in a league tie.
He was formally introduced to the players and the rest of the staff after the match. The experienced coach has been without a club since parting ways with Venda FC last season.
Masutha takes over a Baroka side that has had mixed fortunes in terms of results this season. He is tasked with taking the club back to the Betway Premiership at the end of the season. The 52-year-old will officially start being the head coach of the club on Monday.
JOEL MASUTHA’S FIRST WORDS AS BAROKA FC HEAD COACH
“I feel honoured and humbled at the same time to join a team with such a history,” Masutha told FARPost.
“They have produced players for almost all the clubs in the PSL. It’s a team that also believes in youth. So, also looking at how they play, I see that their style has never changed.
“I think it also suits how I play. So to me, I am thrilled and looking forward to enjoying myself and making sure that we also change the fortunes for the team,” explained Masutha. “I believe that the team belongs in a high position, so that’s what we are going to strive to do and make sure that we work very hard.
“This is a professional league. Even the team at the bottom of the log will still be saying their ambition is to get promoted. So, even for us, it’s not different. Just like everybody else, a promotional league is about promoting a team.”
Masutha’s first match will be away to struggling Cape Town Spurs after the FIFA international break.
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