Connor takes over as GU head coach
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday February 17, 2026 08:25
According to a statement from the club, Connor has signed a two-and-half-year contract and will take over from Khalid Niyonzima who has been holding fort on interim basis. Connor parted ways with log leaders, Jwaneng Galaxy few days ago.
The reigning league champions watched their fortress fall and title grip loosen as Sua Flamingoes delivered a dramatic 3–2 blow at the GU Stadium on Saturday evening.
The defeat did more than end GU’s remarkable 28-game unbeaten run stretching back to last season but it cracked the title race wide open.
Jwaneng Galaxy have now caught the Reds on 44 points, with GU slipping to second place on goal difference in a race that had once looked firmly under their control.
For a side that had built its campaign on resilience and certainty, this was a night of chaos, controversy, and consequence.
Connor watched from the stands as interim boss, Niyonzima’s tenure appeared to drift toward its final chapter on Saturday. At the time, sources indicated that the Irishman, formerly of Galaxy and Matebele FC, even addressed the players at halftime, a symbolic passing of the baton as GU’s season teeters.
on Saturday, Niyonzima, pointed to fine margins and officiating decisions as turning points.
“I think for me it is not about the defeat but why we lost the game,' he said.
“I do not want to make an excuse but the referee, some of the decisions were not good, which made us concede a goal from one of those decisions. There is no how a player can jump for the ball, the other doesn’t jump and push but you do not award a foul.'
Despite the loss, the interim coach insisted GU had been the better side.
“In terms of performance we were better and it is only the conversion that was poor if you look at the chances we created. The first minute we create a chance and hit the post.
“For me it is about how are we going to come from the loss. We lost today but you could see that our boys fought and being unlucky is part of the game,' said Niyonzima.
The warning signs had come early. Within the opening minute, Ibrohim Youssouf broke through and beat the goalkeeper, only for the post to deny him a moment that would set the tone for GU’s frustrating evening.
Sua grew into the contest and thought they had a penalty on 27th minute when the ball appeared to strike Tatenda Gora’s arm, but the referee waved play on.
The breakthrough came four minutes later. Mcebisi Moyo delivered from the flank and Bame Morwalela finished clinically to stun the home crowd. Sua doubled their advantage on the stroke of halftime when Ronaldo Ngwako’s dangerous cross was parried into the path of Botshelo Mafoko, who reacted quickest to make it 2–0.
But champions did not surrender easily. Karabo Phiri pulled one back deep into first-half stoppage time to keep GU alive, before Ambrosius Amseb completed the comeback ten minutes into the second half, smashing in from a tight angle to level matters at 2–2. With momentum restored and the crowd behind them, GU looked the more likely winners. Instead, it was Sua who delivered the killer blow.
In the third minute of stoppage time, substitute Kenneth Muguna rose highest to head home the decisive goal, silencing GU Stadium and igniting celebrations on the visitors’ bench.
Beyond the immediate heartbreak, the result raises uncomfortable questions for GU. Once cruising at the summit, they have now won just twice in their last five matches, allowing Galaxy back into a race that had seemed to be slipping away.
The champions suddenly look vulnerable and the timing could not be more delicate, with a coaching transition looming.
GU: Thabo Motswagole, Alphord Velaphi, Ivan Kamberipa, Tatenda Gora, Mothusi Johnson, Lebogang Ditsile, Karabo Phiri, Omphile Ramoagi, Sheikh Sesay (Kamogelo Moloi), Ibrohim Youssouf (Thabo Maponda), Ambrosius Amseb
Sua: Kenneth Mmoko, Ronaldo Ngwako, Thato Seagateng, Goitseone Legopelo, Othusitse Gabadise, Marius Kotze, Phenyo Serameng (Samuel Makgoro), Segolame Boy, Botshelo Mafoko (Kenneth Muguna), Mcebisi Moyo (Boyo Lechaena), Bame Morwalela (Serati Semadi)
GU 2 (Phiri 45+2, Amseb 55th) Sua 3 (Morwalela 31st, Mafoko 45th, Muguna 90+3)