FIFA lifts transfer ban on Black Leopards
Black Leopards can finally register new players after FIFA lifted their transfer ban, giving the struggling Thohoyandou side hope for survival.
LIMPOPO – Black Leopards are free to strengthen their squad after months. On Friday, the club was cleared to register new players for the 2025/26 season, ending a saga that saw them banned by Fifa.
Fans at Thohoyandou Stadium were disappointed on Saturday when Leopards lost 1-0 to Highbury FC. Last season, the team finished fourth in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, raising hopes of automatic promotion.
This season, however, has been a nightmare. Leopards sit at the bottom of the log, with the first 10 matches likely to define their survival. On Saturday, they will host Kruger United at Thohoyandou Stadium and are expected to aim for maximum points.
The Fifa transfer ban stemmed from a dispute linked to All Stars, the club whose status Leopards purchased after being relegated in 2022/23. The sanction reportedly arose from an unpaid claim by a former All Stars player.
At the time of the takeover, All Stars were already facing two registration bans. The consequences were severe. Leopards started the season with a skeleton squad, fielding only 10 players in their opening 3-0 defeat to Casric Stars. They also breached National Soccer League rules requiring at least five u/23 players in a match-day squad.
At one point, defender Thendo Mukumela had to play in goal to cover for missing players.
With the ban lifted, the focus is now on how quickly Leopards can rebuild. Their survival and any hopes of promotion depend on securing new talent and stabilising a season already on the edge.
Meanwhile, fellow Vhembe-based team Venda Football Club (VFC) will face The Bees on Sunday at Thohoyandou Stadium. VFC comes off a 1-0 win against Leruma Lions last weekend and will look to maintain their winning momentum.
