As Sportswire reported several days ago, Dan Malesela has officially returned to Baroka FC.

Malesela replaces Amukelani Hlungwane, who had been serving as interim coach.

On Wednesday, the club confirmed Malesela’s return by posting a picture of him leading a training session, confirming the details previously reported by this website.

Malesela was recently dismissed by Marumo Gallants following their loss to Mamelodi Sundowns last month.

He returns to a Baroka side that he previously guided to the PSL Relegation and Promotion playoffs at the end of last season.

However, he was suspended and subsequently dismissed after Baroka lost their first playoff match to the University of Pretoria away.

Following Malesela’s departure, Baroka appointed Morgan Mammila, aiming to secure promotion. However, Richards Bay ultimately retained their PSL status, sealing Baroka’s fate with a heavy defeat in the final playoff match at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban.

Baroka, the first Limpopo team to win a major trophy—the 2018/19 Telkom Knockout trophy against Orlando Pirates—were relegated at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, becoming the second team to be relegated without an away win in the PSL era.

Currently, Baroka sits eighth in the table with 29 points from 22 matches, trailing the third-place playoff spot by seven points.

Malesela will be Baroka’s fourth coach this season. Mammila was dismissed after a poor start, followed by Joel Masutha.

Hlungwane, who took over on an interim basis, struggled to deliver results, losing the last two matches, prompting the club to make another technical team change.