Naagyei 90.3 Fm Agyapa
Former Bafana Bafana player and Black Leopards defender Thendo Mukumela has heaped praise on the club’s new coach, Maxwell Konadu, highlighting his unwavering focus on “doing things right” and his determination to “maximising each and every person’s potential.”
Konadu, who oversaw Asante Kotoko in the past and assisted in coaching the Ghanaian national team, has assumed leadership of Black Leopards in anticipation of the Motsepe Foundation Championship season of 2024–2025.
The difficult task of revitalising the Limpopo-based team and bringing them back to their previous glory has been assigned to Konadu.
In May 2023, the cherished and wildly popular Black Leopards football team in South Africa was forced to accept the hard truth of their demotion to the third division of the ABC Motsepe League. But the owners of the team, who cared a great deal about its history, were keen to stay out of amateur football.
The Leopards have battled to stay in the top division of South African football over the last few decades, facing relegation four times. They only placed in the top eight twice in their twelve seasons in the main level.
Rather than rebuilding from the lower divisions, the club opted to purchase the status of All Stars, securing their place in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Now, with Konadu at the helm, they are determined to strategise their return to the topflight.
Konadu has made a promising start, securing a win and a draw in his first two matches in charge. Mukumela emphasised the coach’s focus on precision and attention to detail, particularly when it comes to building attacks from the defence. As a defender, Mukumela values Konadu’s insistence on initiating plays with accuracy and intent.
“Coach Maxwell is doing great,” Mukumela, formerly with AmaZulu, said. “He likes things to be done right, he’s the kind of coach who says if you are doing something, you better do it right.”
Mukumela went on to elaborate on Konadu’s coaching style. “He likes starting from the back, he’s a coach who believes in playing (keeping possession of the ball). So everytime we start from the back – I’m a defender I know that a lot. Whenever we start from the back he tells me, ‘Thendo, if you are going to do, do it right’.”
For the club to succeed, it is believed that the coach’s emphasis on finishing and the finer parts of the game is essential. “He is the type of coach that enjoys accuracy and neat finishing. He pays attention to the tiny things in everything he does, which is exactly what the club needs, Mukumela continued.
Mukumela, a former youth international and alumnus of Mamelodi Sundowns, voiced his confidence in the coaching staff and cited Konadu’s extensive club and international experience as a key benefit. Under their leadership, he is adamant that the club is prepared for a good season.
He’s worked with numerous clubs alongside coach Solly (Luvhengo, the assistant coach for the Black Leopards). He was a top-level member of the national team. We will succeed this season since we have a strong technical team.
Leopards will be hopeful that Konadu’s strategy and their newfound determination would help them return to the Betway Premiership, the top division.
While visiting the NJM Top 8 Challenge in Thohoyandou, a town located in a largely rural and semi-arid region of South Africa, not far from the well-known Kruger National Park, Mukumela offered his insights. Leopards is headquartered in Polokwane, 180km away, yet they are originally from Thohoyandou.
Konadu made use of the weekend to watch and pick out talented athletes in the competition, which was organised by businessman Nyambeni Jones Maphalaphathwa, the CEO and founder of NJM Group of Companies.
This is a great chance for young people in the Thohoyandou area to demonstrate their abilities.
