Marko Vesiljevic confirmed as the new AFC Leopards coach

SportPesa Premier League side AFC Leopards SC have promoted Marko Vesiljevic as their new head coach after his immediate former boss, Serbian Nikola Kavazovic ditched the club for South African side Free State Stars.

Kavazovic, the 43 year-old Serbian was unveiled as the new ABSA Premier League coach to succeed another former Ingwe boss, Belgian Luc Eymael on Thursday with the local giants backing his former assistant to steer the club to success this season.

Speaking to , Leopards chair, Dan Mule, confirmed they had parted ways with Kavazovic having earlier granted the Serb time off to attend to personal matters.

“He came and we signed a two-year contract. When he left, I was out of the country but he returned the signing on fee we had paid him and one-month salary in lieu of notice

“His assistant will take over as the head coach. They have stayed with him for five years and he is aware of the system. We have faith his assistant will do a good job,” Mule stated.

“We really took our time in searching for the new coach, we made sure we choose the right man for the job, said Free State Stars General Manager Rantsi Mokoena in announcing the arrival of Kavazovic to the club.

“The coach brings vast experience to our league, having coached Botswana’s Township Rollers and recently for the very first time in their history, Rollers qualified for the Champions League.

“He is a strong believer of youth players and what I also liked about the coach is that when he was introduced to the players he knew their names.”

 

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The coach has signed for two and a half years for Stars and will be assisted by David Vilakazi and Selaotse Mosala.

Leopards are still on the hunt for their first SPL victory of the season having drawn their opening fixture 1-1 against Kariobangi Sharks FC before surrendering to a 0-3 loss in Kakamega Homeboyz FC last weekend.

Vesiljevic becomes the 26th head coach hired by Leopards since they were promoted back to the top flight in 2009.

Kavazovic had succeeded Argentine Rodolfo Zapata who led the team to a seventh finish in the SPL last term with Ingwe failing to hold on to their SportPesa Shield title when they fell to Sofapaka FC in the semi finals of the Cup competition.

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