Black Leopards head coach, Maxwell Konadu, is relying on his extensive experience to guide the team back to the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The 51-year-old signed a one-year contract with the lower-tier team two weeks ago.

The former Asante Kotoko coach joined the Leopards from Ghana Premier League side Nsoatreman FC, where he led them to their first FA Cup victory.

Konadu’s appointment brings renewed hope to the Leopards, who have been striving to return to top-flight football since their relegation in the 2019/20 season.

With a robust coaching resume that includes significant continental and international experience, Konadu’s credentials are impressive. As the Black Stars’ deputy coach during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he played a crucial role in Ghana’s qualification.

“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 emphasized 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].”