After three months of unemployment, former Moroka Swallows head coach Mr Zeca Marques has found a new job. He is the new head coach of Black Leopards, a deal that came into effect last Friday.

This was confirmed by the club’s chairman, Mr David Thidiela, shortly after both parties had signed the contract.

In a telephonic interview, Thidiela said that Marques’ appointment was one of their many way to try and restore the team’s lost pride. Marques replaces the Englishman, Mark Harrison, who left the Thohoyandou side early last week to join the Zimbabwean side, Caps United.

Marques’ agent, Mr Ratshibvumo Mulovhedzi, of Rush Hour Sports Managements, echoed Mr Thidiela’s statement, saying that he was happy that his client was not jobless anymore. “The club saw him as a person who can add value to the club and I am delighted that he will be working alongside assistant coach Mr Joel Masutha,” said Mulovhedzi.

Asked about his plans for the team, Marques said that his mission was to ensure that the club got out of the bottom half in the NFD log standings. He stated that although it woouldn’t be an easy task for him, his mandate was to make sure that the team secured a place in the promotional play-offs if they failed to gain promotion outright at the end of the season.

Lidoda Duvha featured in the promotional playoffs at the end of last season, but they failed to make the grade after losing their final match against Polokwane City at the Giyani Stadium.

Black Leopards are currently in the 11th position on the log with 18 points, 14 behind the pace setters, Jomo Cosmos. Black Leopards will play their first league match under Marques’ guidance against Jomo Cosmos at the Thohoyandou Stadium on 11 February.

Marques resigned from Moroka Swallows after a string of poor results. The former Kaizer Chiefs top striker Fanie Madida replaced him at Moroka Swallows.