New coach for the Leopards

WITH just under a month before the kick-off of the National First Division (NFD) league, Black Leopards has announced the man to replace the former coach, Kosta Papic, who left the team shortly after they failed to gain promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Sean Connor from Ireland has been named as the new Lidoda Duvha mentor for the next three years, and with Leopards chairperson, David Thidiela expecting Connor to get the club back to the PSL, the 47-year-old has to hit the ground running.

Before joining Lidoda Duvha, Connor was a free agent after he was shown the door by Zimbabwean Premier League club, Caps United following a string of losses.

Connor has been a coach for 10 years and has won the Irish First Division League with Sligo Rovers in 2005. He also guided the same club to finish in fifth place in the Irish senior division. At Leopards, Connor will be assisted by Solly Luvhengo and Aschwin Sutton.

After a year without a team manager following the dismissal of Sam Khaphathe, Leopards has appointed a new manager, Lawrence Okwaba.

Completing the long list of new faces at Lidoda Duvha is the new CEO, Bryge Wachipa.

Thidiela says the appointments are made to revive the club’s hopes of playing in the top league.

“The mandate of this experienced team is to win the NFD league and gain promotion to the PSL league this season,” says Thidiela.

Lidoda Duvha will start their quest for promotion with a home fixture at the Thohoyandou Stadium on August 23 against Golden Arrows.