JOHANNESBURG — Black Leopards have confirmed the appointment of Ian Palmer as their new coach on a contract that runs until the end of the South African Premier Soccer League season.
KickOff.com reported earlier this morning that the former Maritzburg United coach would get the job. He was officially unveiled this afternoon at Gold Reef City.
Palmer replaces Sunday Chidzambwa, who will assume the role of technical director amid concerns that he could be lost to football for life.
Chidzambwa has been banned from football for life for his alleged role in Asiagate — a match-fixing scandal that has engulfed Zimbabwean football.
However, Fifa are yet to act on the findings and sanctions of Zifa, meaning he is still free to continue in football. It is only a matter of time, though.
Leopards chairman David Thidiela said the club would stand by Chidzambwa despite the Asiagate reports.
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“Sunday is still our main man at Leopards and he is not going anywhere,” Thidiela said. “We have read about Asiagate in newspapers. So Chidzambwa will take over a higher position (technical director). Abel Makhubele remains assistant coach and both coaches (Palmer and Makhubele) will report to Chidzambwa.”— KickOff