Gaborone United appoint Sean Connor as head coach

Botswana Premier League champions Gaborone United FC have hired experienced Sean Connor as the club’s head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

A statement from the champions confirms the recruitment of the Irishman, days after he parted ways with another Botswana top-flight league outfit Jwaneng Galaxy FC.

Connor has taken over the mantle from Khalid Niyonzima, who was holding fort following the exit of Dimitar Pantev.

The chopping and changing of coaches in Botswana

The Bulgarian dumped the Botswana champions soon after leading them to the domestic league title to sign for Simba SC in Tanzania last November.

However, the going proved tough at the Dar es Salaam-based team largely due to poor results in the CAF Champions’ League group-stage. Pantev was shown the exit door with the Tanzania Mainland Premier League club opting to hire South African Steve Barker.

Why Gaborone United turned to Connor

Now, United hope the experience of the 58-year-old could prove handy to the defending champions and current joint leaders.

“The club expresses its sincere appreciation to Niyonzima for his dedication, professionalism, and commitment during his time in charge on an interim basis,” reads part of the statement.

“Coach Connor is a highly experienced football manager and holds a UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in European football. He brings with him a wealth of international experience, strong leadership credentials, and a proven track-record of developing competitive teams.”

Connor is a well-known football figure on the continent especially in Southern Africa where he has managed clubs such as Black Leopards, Cape Town Spurs in South Africa and CAPS United in Zimbabwe. He inherits the Botswana league champions midway through the season.

Gaborone United lie second on the log table due to an inferior goal difference compared to that of leaders Galaxy. However, both teams have 44 points from 19 games.