La Masia confirm 16 new signings, including ex-Chiefs goalie

PSL side La Masia has bolstered its squad with 16 new players, including a former Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, ahead of the 2023/24 Motsepe Foundation Championship season.

The upcoming campaign will be La Masia’s second in the SA professional ranks after winning the ABC Motsepe League national play-offs in June 2022.

La Masia, based in Westbury, west of Johannesburg, managed to avoid relegation in their maiden Motsepe Foundation Championship season. They finished the past campaign in 13th place with eight wins, eight draws and 14 defeats.

In an effort to ensure they have a better and stronger 2023/24 season, La Masia have confirmed the arrival of former Swallows and Soweto giants Chiefs goalkeeper Virgil Vries and Tlotlo Leepile from Sekhukhune United.

The club also welcomed Moeneeb Josephs’ son, Niyaaz, in the goalkeeping department from ABC Motsepe League outfit Hanover Park FC.

The other new signings unveiled at the Randburg Sports Club on Friday include Alessandro Du Plessis, Kiyaam Bull, and Lethabo Mazibuko.

LA MASIA UNVEIL NEW KIT

In addition, La Masia acquired the services of Smith Pepper, Maurice Finck, Zinedine de Kock. Isa Mangera, Seth Green, Ryan Manning, Anslin Williams, Ofentse Dube, Elton Manzini and Tshepo Kakora.

Meanwhile, the club also revealed their new kit for the new season. They are set to play in it when they host a newly promoted outfit from Northern Cape, Upington City FC.

Upington City FC gained promotion to the Motsepe Championship after winning the ABC Motsepe national playoffs in June 2023 at Harry Gwala Stadium in KZN.

The match will be played on the 25th of August, 2023, at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

“You can never be overconfident, but pre-season has gone well as we planned well. And I would like to believe that we are ready,” La Masia head coach Delano Hendricks told FARPost.

“But we don’t expect to be a house on fire; players will gradually peak as the season progresses.

“We also understand that the first game of the season is very important. And it is against a newly promoted team. La Masia have been there before, and we understand the mentality they will bring.

“We also have a lot of new players, and we hope that they will adjust to professional football.”

Story by Mashale Mpho Mabotja

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