Head coach of the Black Leopards, Maxwell Konadu, is leveraging his extensive experience to help the team regain its spot in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL). The 51-year-old coach signed a one-year contract with the club two weeks ago.
Konadu transitioned to the Leopards from Nsoatreman FC in the Ghana Premier League, where he guided them to their inaugural FA Cup victory.
Konadu’s appointment has revitalised the Leopards’ aspirations to return to top-tier football after their relegation in the 2019/20 season. His impressive coaching background includes notable continental and international experience.
Notably, he served as the deputy coach of the Black Stars during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, playing a pivotal role in Ghana’s qualification.
With a robust resume and a wealth of knowledge, Konadu is expected to bring significant improvements to the team, bolstering their chances of making a strong comeback in the PSL.
“I know about Black Leopards from when they were still in the Premiership, and now that they are in division one, they need to fight back. I am well-experienced on the continent.
I’ve been in the World Cups, AFCON, CHANs…I’ve been everywhere. I want to see if all this experience will help me push Black Leopards to the highest level,” Konadu said, as quoted by SowetanLive.
Konadu emphasised his credibility as a seasoned mentor. “In 2014, Kwesi Appiah was the head coach and I was his assistant. We successfully led the Black Stars to the World Cup in Brazil,” he recalled.
“After that, Appiah left and I was asked to coach the national team on an interim basis and I qualified the team for AFCON 2015.
That’s when Avram Grant came in and we went to the final of the Afcon and got beaten by Ivory Coast on penalties. I [also] won the Ghana Premiership with Asante Kotoko [in the 2011/12 season].”