The Irish-born Mr Sean Connor (47) is the new coach of the National First Division (NFD) team, Black Leopards. This follows after the former coach, Serbian Kostadin Papic, and his assistant, Joel Masutha, were appointed at the PSL rookies, Chippa United, last month.

The members of the new coaching staff for Leopards were announced during a media conference in Polokwane last Friday. Leopards also hired Messrs Ashwin Sutton and former Amajita coach Solly Luvhengo as assistant coaches in their mission to gain promotion to the PSL next season.

Connor has some African experience, having coached Caps United in Zimbabwe, while Sutton has worked for a number of teams in the NFD, including African Warriors and Sivutsa Stars, now known as Royal Eagles.

Leopards also announced changes at management level. Mr Lawrence Okwaba is the new team manager and Mr Bryge Wachipa will serve as CEO.

The chairperson of Black Leopards, Mr David Thidiela, said during the event that the main objective of the club was to win promotion this season. According to him, Connor signed a three-year contract with the club. ”We gave him only one mandate and that is to take the club back to the elite league. We do not belong in the NFD.

“We are confident that his vast experience with top clubs around the world will be good for our team. We are calling on our supporters to give him the necessary support. We are confident the combination of three will bring joy and happiness to the club. We will bring changes where necessary and will stand by them,” said Thidiela.

He added that only two players, their top goal scorer, David Zulu, and Rendani Ndou had left the team at the end of the previous season. Ndou joined Polokwane City and Zulu went to Chippa United.

Connor indicated in an interview that his mandate with the team “is clear and achievable”. He said he needed only 25 players in his team.

During the media conference, Lidoda Duvha dismissed claims by Serbian coach Vladivic Heric that the club wanted to hire him. It was also announced that the club’s headquarters will remain in Polokwane, but the club will play their matches at the Thohoyandou Stadium.