THOHOYANDOU, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 15: Lesedi Kapinga of Black Leopards during the Absa Premiership match between Black Leopards and Baroka FC at Thohoyandou Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Thohoyandou, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)
PSL transfer news: Leopards release rumoured Sundowns target
Lesedi Kapinga is believed to have joined Mamelodi Sundowns after parting ways with Black Leopards.
THOHOYANDOU, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 15: Lesedi Kapinga of Black Leopards during the Absa Premiership match between Black Leopards and Baroka FC at Thohoyandou Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Thohoyandou, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)
Black Leopards have released highly sought-after attacking midfielder Lesedi Kapinga, the club confirmed on Monday.
The 25-year-old has been one of the mainstays at Lidoda Duvha since their return to the top flight, and had come towards the end of his contract.
New club for Lesedi Kapinga
It is said that he had been granted an extension on his deal in order to finish the season at the Limpopo outfit, but club general manager Tshifiwa Thidiela says the player has been released to join a new club.
“We can confirm that we have agreed to let Lesedi Kapinga go and join his new team,” Thidiela is quoted by Soccer Laduma.
“It’s to protect him and ourselves as well because the team is at the bottom and this is a matter of life and death. So sometimes when people know that the team is moving somewhere, it may be detrimental to him should he make a mistake, even if its genuine. You will find that some players may feel it is because his future is secured somewhere. We would rather have him go start his new life, and we wish him the best.”
Tshifiwa Thidiela
Where to next for Leopards star?
Kapinga has long been linked with reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns, and is said to have signed a pre-contract with the club.
The deal agreed to by the player and his new club is believed to have been completed back in January.
Kapinga featured in all of Leopards’ fixtures throughout the 2019/20 season, finding the net five times and providing as many assists.
Sundowns are expected to unveil Kapinga in the coming weeks, making him the third player to join the club ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Other players to have moved to the Brazilians are George Maluleka, who joined from Kaizer Chiefs and former Ajax Cape Town rising star, Grant Margeman.
