Leopards coach off to Chippa

NATIONAL First Division (NFD) club, Black Leopards, will have to revise their plans for the coming NFD season after their head coach, Kostadin Papic left the club to return to coaching the newly promoted PSL team, Chippa United.

Papic caused a stir after Lidoda Duvha lost 2-1 to Polokwane City during the promotion and relegation play-offs in Giyani a fortnight ago when he publicly stated that he was not sure of his future at the Venda based club and did not know whether he wanted to stay there.

Hardly a week after this remark, the Chilli Boys’ boss, Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi, announced that Papic has joined the Cape Town based club on a one-year contract with the option to renew.

Black Leopards media liaison officer, Barry Ramunenyiwa, said the departure of Papic was an unexpected blow that took the club by surprise.

He said Papic was part of the plans the club had for the 2014/15 season.

“The coach made the decision to leave the club very suddenly and unexpectedly and we have to make new plans for the coming season.

“This is a setback for the team and it leaves us in the lurch,” Ramunenyiwa said in a statement.

Ramunenyiwa, who thanked the club’s supporters for staying behind the team through thick and thin, announced that an urgent board meeting would be held to find a replacement for Papic before the start of the upcoming season which kicks off in August.

Papic, who joined Lidoda Duvha at the beginning of the 2013/14 season, will team up with his top goal scorer David Zulu who also left Leopards for Chippa United.

He replaced his countryman and former Leopards coach, Vladislav Heric.

“It is not the end of the road but only the beginning,” concluded Ramunenyiwa.