Pretoria Callies have been making headlines during the FIFA international break, and not just for their on-field performance.
The Motsepe Foundation Championship side recently bolstered their squad with the addition of former Kaizer Chiefs players Darrel Matsheke and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya.
This comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the team as they aim for a successful season.
Fresh Faces Join the Callies Squad
Matsheke, previously with Stellenbosch FC, and Ntiya-Ntiya, who spent last season with Sekhukhune United, are just two of the new faces in the Callies’ camp.
They aren’t alone in this wave of new signings; they join Tshepo Skhosana and Tshepo Chaine, both from Marumo Gallants, another Motsepe Foundation Championship team.
These signings are expected to add much-needed experience and skill to Callies as they look to improve their league standing.
Coaching Changes and Tactical Boost
The international break has also been a period of change for the technical staff.
Coach Fabio Lopez, who has already endeared himself to the supporters (who affectionately call him ‘Takalani’, meaning happiness), is focusing on building a more competitive team.
To support him in this effort, former Bafana Bafana defender Fani Mthethwa has joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Mthethwa, who last played professionally in Qatar, will work alongside Zane Ryklief, former assistant coach of Steenberg FC.
Mthethwa’s appointment fills the gap left by Bushy Moloi, who has temporarily stepped aside to pursue his CAF Coaching Licence.
Moloi, however, remains involved in football, concentrating on reviving the TUT varsity team after a disappointing 2024 season.
Callies’ Struggles on the Field
Despite the off-field developments, Callies have had a tough run of results under Lopez’s leadership.
The team has drawn two matches and lost one in the three games Lopez has been in charge.
Both draws, against Milford FC and Durban City FC, saw Callies reduced to 10 men after red cards.
Their defeat came at the hands of Black Leopards.
Currently sitting at 14th place on the log after six matches, Callies are looking for a turnaround as they prepare for their next fixture against Hungry Lions on Saturday.
With a kick-off at 3 PM, the away game could be a crucial opportunity for Lopez and his team to regain some momentum and work towards their goal of securing promotion to South Africa’s top football division next season.
The Road Ahead
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how these new signings and tactical adjustments impact Callies’ performance.
The club’s management has set a clear mandate for Lopez—to build a team capable of challenging for promotion.
With the team struggling near the bottom of the table, the pressure is on to deliver results in the coming matches.
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