Chris Theko
Former Likuena international Lehlohonolo Seema, who also captained South African Premier Soccer League giants Bloemfontein Celtics and Orlando Pirates has been earmarked to take over the reign as Black Leopards head coach following the departure of head coach Dylan Kerr on Monday last week.
The Limpopo-based outfit announced in a statement on Monday that the club has amicable parted ways with the Englishman and that Seema, who was brought in as Kerr’s assistant a month earlier was given the role of interim co-coach with Morgan Shivambu.
However, according to a source close to the management of Leopards, the former Bloemfontein Celtics coach is earmarked to take over as head coach.
“The departure of Kerr came as no surprise honestly, because there was already talks in management that Seema has the potential to lead the team and guide it out of the relegation zone,” revealed the source.
“He has been appointed co-coach at the moment while the team’s management assesses him to see if he could up to the task”
Seema was appointed as Kerr’s assistant in December following his sacking as Chippa United coach.
He had joined Chippa at the beginning of the season after parting ways with Celtic where he had made a name for himself, starting off as assistant coach and eventually taking over as head coach where he guided Celtic to their first Nedbank Cup final.
He is not new to working as a co-coach having previously held a similar role with John Maduka during his time at Bloemfontein Celtic.
“Black Leopards FC and their head coach Dylan Kerr have reached an agreement to part ways amicably,†Leopards said in a statement.
“Assistant coaches Morgan Shivambu and Lehlohonolo Seema together with goalkeeper coach Sam Banda, will be responsible for the team in the meantime,†read the statement.
Newsday Sport has also learned that Kerr and Seema had disagreed over various tactical issues in the club’s last few matches. Kerr at some stage is said to have angrily reacted and used the “F†word against Seema hence was due to face a disciplinary hearing but resigned instead.
Black Leopards Spokesperson, Berry Ramunenyiwa said he could not confirm or deny that the fallout was the reason for Kerr’s departure as the club had an agreement with the coach that neither party would reveal the details for his leaving.
The Limpopo outfit that also have Likuena forward Tumelo Khutlang in their books, parted ways with Kerr following a 0-3 defeat at the hands of Chippa United in the DSTV Premier league.
Leopards managed two victories, three draws and four defeats under Kerr, who was on his second spell in charge of the club having been in charge for nine games since making a return in November last year.
Lidoda Duvha, as the club is affectionately known among its supporters, are bottom of the log in the DSTV Premiership having collected just nine points from the 14 games played so far into the 2020/2021 season.