Sekhukhune Places Lehlohonolo Seema on Special Leave Despite Club's Premiership Fourth Place

• Sekhukhune United have decided to place Lehlohonolo Seema on special leave
• Seema has led Babina Noko to fourth place in the DStv Premiership this season
• Football fans can't understand the surprise decision by the Limpopo-based side

Do local coaches in South Africa not get the same respect as foreigners?

That’s a question being raised after the latest news emanating from Sekhukhune United.

Numerous reports have surfaced that the Limpopo-based side have placed their coach, Lehlohonolo Seema, on special leave.

MacDonald Makhubedu and Paulos Masehe will be in charge of the squad for the final two fixtures of the season.

GOAL reported that Seema was appointed the club’s new manager in November 2023, replacing Brandon Truter.

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Despite Sekhuhune sitting in fourth place on the DStv Premiership table and still competing for a CAF Confederation Cup spot, Babina Noko have still made the decision to put him on leave.

Fans question Sekhukhune’s decision

The surprise announcement has not sat well with many local football fans.

Many are questioning why the club would do that to a manager who was performing well, while others believe it’s because local managers are not respected.

Here’s what fans had to say about the decision:

@BabonkeL remarked:

“There is something wrong with South African football.”

@ht4211 commented:

“100% sure management wanted to interfere, and he put his foot down. The same thing Brandon Truter complained about. Someone in that club is sabotaging them, and they need to find him before it’s too late. Seema is doing a great job, if they fire him, they really lack direction.”

@ZerothreeTm was clearly upset:

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“The disrespect is real around here. I swear this guy and Dan are the most disrespected and abused coaches in this country.”

@Mfana_wase_KZN believes mindsets need to change:

“Small team mentality and tendencies. How can you place your best coach ever on special leave when there are only two games remaining?”

@_SiyaNdlovu quipped:

“This is ridiculous, Limpopo teams are owned by clowns.”

@WillyWizzybabe added:

“Heh banna?? What has he done now?”

Seema sacked by Chippa United

Sports Brief previously reported how Seema was sacked by Chippa United last season.

He was brought in by the club to save them from relegation and managed to do just that.

Despite his success, he became the fifth Chippa coach to be fired in the 2022/23 season.