After his first official match in South Africa, Black Leopards head coach Alejandro Dorado has pointed out the differences between African and European players.

Dorado’s Leopards played out to a goalless draw against Pretoria Callies in their league opener at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT Stadium) on Friday afternoon.

The Spanish mentor was appointed as Leopards coach after the club bought the Motsepe Foundation Championship status of All-Stars following their relegation last season.

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Before coming to South Africa to take charge of Lidoda Duvha, Dorado was formerly with Real Madrid youth team as their coach. He also had an assistant coach stint in Canadian club, HFX Wanderers.

Despite being happy with his side’s performance against Callies, the 38-year-old tactician said South African players need to apply composure in the final third.

“It’s the same in most parts of the world, the differences are the players. Players are always different everywhere, in China, in Spain, Finland or Canada,” Dorado told LimSportsZone.

WHAT BLACK LEOPARDS COACH ALEJANDRO DORADO MAKE OF SA PLAYERS 

“But, African, more especially South African Players are skillful. They have the strength to make things happen. But I think they need to calm themselves in the last part of the pitch.

“Because as South African Players, if they can understand this thing of being calm and pass the ball calmly, everything will be fine when they are in the final third.

“I saw Bonginkosi (Makanya), Thabang (Mabena), Vincent (Mashego) and others wanting to play it forward, this is the big difference I am seeing. So they need to calm down, pass, pass and the rest will follow.”

The Spanish coach with his troops will face Casric Stars at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday, 02 September. 

By Clifton Mabasa