The Thohoyandou-based National First Division side, Black Leopards, have given their technical manager, Mr Eddie May, indefinite compassionate leave.

The Englishman flew out of the country after his team’s match against FC AK, which was played at the Eldorado Park Stadium in Johannesburg recently.

According to the club’s brand manager, Tshifhiwa Thidiela, May requested leave to go and attend to his sick wife in England. Tshifhiwa said this after May requested permission to go home. He indicated that they had not given him a date on which he should report back, as it would sound like they did not care about his well-being. May joined Lidoda Duvha two months ago.

Thidiela revealed that May was keeping the club updated with regard to the condition of his ailing wife. “We don’t know when the wife will be fine and for that simple reason we will keep on waiting until he comes back,” he said. When asked whether May’s absence will not affect the team’s performance, Thidiela said that people should not interpret May’s absence as a “train smash” situation, saying May was not the head coach in the first place.