Stanford Nkoane makes Leopards U-turn, resurfaces at Venda FC

Coach Stanford Nkoane has resurfaced at Venda FC a few days after joining Motsepe Foundation Championship side Black Leopards.

Five days ago, this publication reported that Leopards had hired Nkoane as the club’s assistant coach. In a turn of events, Nkoane has made a U-turn on Lidoda Duvha and has been spotted at Leopards’ archrivals, Venda FC.

At Leopards, Nkoane was expected to help head coach Maxwell Konadu in their pursuit to gain promotion to the Betway Premiership. Konadu was appointed as Leopards head coach at the beginning of the season on a three-year contract.

This comes after Venda FC parted ways with their head coach, Vladislav Heric, four days ago. Heric was shown the exit door together with the former Kaizer Chiefs goal-scorer Collins Mbesuma. The ex-Zambian international was serving as a striker coach at the club.

Heric has failed to secure a league victory in Venda FC’s past six matches. After 14 games, they are at the bottom of the log standings with nine points.

The 58-year-old Serbian mentor was appointed Venda FC head coach in October. However, his stay at the Limpopo club wasn’t all roses.

STANFORD NKOANE SET TO TAKE OVER AT VENDA FC

FARPost has been reliably informed that Nkoane will take over the coaching reins at the Vhembe-based club after Heric’s departure.

Nkoane recently worked with Betway Premiership team Marumo Gallants, where he was responsible for leading the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] squad. He also served as the head coach at Baroka FC.

Interestingly, the club will start the new year with a league fixture against Leopards at home on Saturday, 11 January 2025.

The Motsepe Foundation Championship Vhembe derby will take place at Thohoyandou Stadium, with the kick-off set for 15:30.

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