BLACK Leopards might be out of the CAF Confederation Cup but club chairman David Thidiela is happy that they used the campaign to lay a solid foundation for the next Absa Premiership season

Thidiela is predicting a bright future for Lidoda Duvha, saying the days of the Limpopo outfit fighting for survival are finally over.

"I do not regret deciding to play in the Confederation Cup (even though) many people were against the idea, saying we would be relegated at the end of the season. For me playing in the Confederation Cup exposed my players to international soccer. Many of them had never been out of South Africa.

"This was also a platform to say thank you (to the fans) for helping us return to the Premiership.

"I'm strongly convinced we have laid a solid foundation for the Premiership. It was great pre-season training for us and my mandate to the players is that I do not want to see the club outside the top-eight bracket at the end of the season.

"The people of Limpopo and our supporters in general deserve better. We must also start believing that we can win trophies in the new season."

Thidiela has also commended South Africans for embracing his club during their Cup campaign.

"I want to start with the Premier Soccer League; they supported us all the way in addition to the R1-million donation for playing in this tournament.

"Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Safa were also wonderful to us. I will be failing in my duty if I do not thank supporters of all the PSL clubs who came to support us. South Africans in general deserve a pat on the back. It was a great honour for us, we appreciate it."

Article from SowetanLive.co.za