LIMPOPO – This comes after the departure of Mongezi Bobe whose performance as team manager was not convincing.
During his tenure as striker, Sikhwivhilu terrorised several big teams in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) when he played alongside Christopher Matari Netshidzivhe, Rudzani Ramudzuli, and Magic Ratshivhadelo until he caught the eye of the Orlando Pirates coach who snatched him up together with Ramudzuli to play for them.
CV visited Sikhwivhilu during the team’s training in Ladanna, Polokwane on Monday.
“It’s good to reunite with the Lidoda Duvha family. This is my home because I was not famous before joining this team in 1997. My football career started in the 1990’s when I played for Tshirembe Valley Killers.
“I heard Black Leopards had trials to scout for new blood and my coach from Tshirembe, Killer Mulaudzi, helped me to attend the trials. I succeeded and started playing for Lidoda Duvha in 1997. I moved to Orlando Pirates in the 2007/8 season and returned to Leopards for the 2009/10 season. I moved to Supersport United and Dynamos in 2010/11,” he said.
He added that his football career ended in 2011 when he played for Bay United, currently known as Polokwane City FC.
“In 1999 I registered at the University of Venda to study environmental science. However, I stopped my studies because I wanted to place all my effort into my football career and I was a top goal scorer with Lidoda Duvha for many years.
“When my football career ended, I returned to the University of Venda to complete my degree which I accomplished in 2012. After that I established a company which deals with environmental matters as a consultant in Limpopo. I was employed with Tshikovha Environmental and Communication Consulting in Pretoria where I worked for a year and I returned home to Vhembe earlier this year to focus more on growing my company,” he explained.
When Black Leopards offloaded several of their staff last season, Sikhwivhilu applied for the team manager position and was appointed last week.
“Leopards is a big brand and it is high time they return to the PSL where they belong and it is my goal to see them promoted to the league at the end of this season.
“Losing to Baroka FC during the FAME Charity Cup is not discouraging as it made us aware of the flaws plaguing our squad and highlighted areas that need attention.
“We have a pool of 31 players and I need commitment from all the players. Although I’m not a coach, I don’t like lazy players,” Sikhwivhilu said.
