As part of beefing up the team’s technical staff, Black Leopards have recalled the team’s former head coach, Mr Vladislav Heric.

The Serbian national was the brain behind the success of the Thohoyandou outfit when Lidoda Duvha gained promotion to the Absa Premiership Division four years ago. Heric left the club for the national first division side, African Warriors, after a successful season with Black Leopards.

Heric moved from one club to the other during the past three years before joining Chippa United in the middle of last season. At that stage, Chippa United were campaigning in the national first division. Heric guided the Cape Town side to an outright promotion to the Absa Premiership Division at the end of the season. Surprisingly, Heric’s contract with Chippa United was not renewed at the beginning of this season as anticipated.

He remained jobless for five months until the chairman of Black Leopards, Mr David Thidiela, offered him a one-month contract last week. Asked why he had decided to give Mr Heric a month contract, Mr Thidiela stated that he wanted someone who could assist the current caretaker coach, Mr Joel Masutha, for the time being until the team’s head coach, Mr Seun Connor, took over.

According to Mr Thidiela, Mr Connor is still sorting out his work permit issues in his native country, the Republic of Ireland. When asked as to when they were anticipating the return of Connor, Thidiela said that he could not speculate as he had no control over the situation.

During an interview with Heric shortly after Leopards' 1-1 draw with Highlandspark at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Saturday, he said that it was painful for him to see Black Leopards losing matches while they played quality football. He further said that he was happy that they would have two weeks to prepare the team before playing their next league match against Santos at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town next Saturday, 22 November.

Heric joins Black Leopards at the time when the team is lying on the 10th position on the log with 12 points accumulated from 10 outings, 10 points behind the log leaders, Lamontville Golden Arrows.