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Black Leopards spot a new coach in Romanian Marinica

BLACK LEOPARDS have conceded that their biggest mistake after their relegation to the NFD was to employ an "unqualified" coach.

BLACK LEOPARDS have conceded that their biggest mistake after their relegation to the NFD was to employ an "unqualified" coach.

After their relegation, Leopards appointed their former goalkeeper Joel Masutha as head coach - which did not bear any fruits.

Leopards executive committee spokesperson Dikeledi Magadzi indicated that Masutha's contract will not be renewed as their contracts with coaches are performance-based.

This time around Leopards have appointed Mario Marinica, a highly qualified coach from Romania.

Magadzi said Marinica, who signed a two-year contract with the club, will help them to achieve their goal of returning to the elite league.

"We gave him only one mandate - to take the club back to the elite league - because we do not belong in the National First Division.

"We are confident that his vast experience with top clubs around the world like Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal will be of assistance to us. We are also calling on our supporters to give him the necessary support."

Marinica, 44, holds a Uefa Pro Licence - the highest football coaching qualification. Before joining Lidoda Duvha, Marinica worked with FC Gloria Buzau, Sportul Studente, Arges Pitesti, Rocar Bucuresti and Cimentul Fieni in Romania.

In England, he has worked at Crystal Palace FC, Arsenal FC's Academies as well as Leyton Orient FC's School of Excellence.

"We are confident the combination of Marinica and his assistant Innocent Mayoyo will bring joy and happiness to the club. We will always bring changes where necessary and we will stand by them," said Magadzi, who is also MEC for security and safety in Limpopo.

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