The former Black Leopards coaches Vladislav Heric and Joel Masutha are back in the Leopards camp. Heric and Masutha were head coach and assistant coach for the Thohoyandou outfit during the last four months of last season.

Leopards were languishing in the second last position on the log when Heric joined them. Apart from the fact that Leopards finished their league programme on the safe side, they managed to reach the semi-final stage of the Nedbank Cup KO competition under the guidance of the Serbian-born Heric and Masutha.

Heric could not reach an agreement with Black Leopards when his contract came to an end last season and as such he had to leave Lidoda Duvha in search of greener pastures. His first stop was at another Limpopo-based National First Division side, Winnerspark FC.

Winnerspark unveiled Vladislav Heric and Joel Masutha as the team’s head coach and assistant respectively, during a press conference which was held in Polokwane last month. According to Heric, things did not go according to plan in the Winnerspark camp and that prompted him to pack his bags and go back to Leopards.

During an interview with Heric, he revealed that he had entered into a two year contract with the club. A contract for the same duration has been entered into by the club and the assistant coach, Joel Masutha. Heric confirmed that he was happy with the new contract.

The team’s general manager, Sam Khaphathe, confirmed the deals, saying that with Heric and Masutha in their camp, they are sure of campaigning in the Absa Premiership side come next season. Khaphathe revealed the Leopards’ former midfielder, Fischer Kondowe, is back in their camp.

The Malawian international joined Bloemfontein Celtic 12 months ago. Apart from Kondowe, who started training with the team on Tuesday this week, Khaphathe said that they would soon sign two seasoned players to replace Jabu Maluleke and Thabo Mongalo, who moved to Supersport United at the end of last season.