Pentagon Challenge

Meet Ugnius Miki, a 29 year old Lithuanian born in Trakai (chosen through a random name and city generator). With a basic knowledge of English to help him complete what seemed impossible, he applied to all available Manager jobs open on 13th July 2023, totalling 132! 

After just 2 days, he had already been offered several Under 20 international jobs, as well as a high paying gig with the Qatari national team. But rumours told him there were better offers in the pipeline, so he waited another 2 days. And the rumours proved true, with several enticing offers from round the globe arriving in his inbox.

After rejecting a Welsh 2nd division club, a Japanese 3rd league team, and a bunch of others, he finally went in for an interview with Black Leopards, a team in the South African Championship. They have a solid background, a positive bank balance, and a semi-decent starting eleven.

Not before long, and the acceptance mail was in the bag! First job after just a week in the market. Following a meeting with the players, staff and media, he got to work. First up was a Head Physio, followed by Head Scout and several other backroom staff. Once that was sorted, he turned to the current batch of free transfers, of which several promising options were offered 4 week trials. Of highest priority was defenders, with the existing squad consisting of many AMC’s and strikers.

In came Emmanuel Letlotlo, a 27 year old fast striker, Cheslyn Jampies, a 33 year old solid left back, and Marco Slinger, a decent right winger due to a lack of options on the wings. Their star player was a free from AmaZulu FC, a DMC called Khumalo. A backup centre back called Monyepao came in, and another left back, who was immediately re-trained to a DR to provide cover on the right side.

Pre-season was great, with the Leopards going unbeaten in 5 matches, scoring 32 and conceding 4. First game of the season, at home to City Rovers, was expected to be a draw, but they finished with a resounding 3-0 victory, with the only downside being a three week lay-off for the right back.

The results continued astounding the critics, with the team going unbeaten until March, when they had their first blip in form.

They made it all the way to the South African Cup semis, where they lost to the leaders of the Premiership, Mamelodi. And their unbeaten league run following their mid-season slump also came to an end in the final game, where they lost 1-0 despite dominating.

Top scorer was the CB/DM Khumalo, who scored regularly from corners. Letlotlo proved an inspiration, scoring 19 and assisting 13.

However....finances were not great at all, and they had a negative balance until the prize money came in. Their ***-man was nabbed mid-season, and they couldn't afford to replace him. And...all the top players are out of contract at the end of the season as the club couldn't afford to renew their contracts earlier.

Let's see where season two takes him, now in the SA Premiership with the big guns.

Season Two:
Miki continued to confound critics and improved both the squad members and the reputation of the club.
Despite going through a difficult transfer window, some great finds were signed, and they even managed to keep the majority of the Championship winning side.
Some surprise results led to a TK Knockout Final spot in December, as well as a 6th place in the league going into the winter break.
He managed to get some new qualifications to add to his CV, alongside a increasing fame. Curacao approached him to be their manager, yet after just 4 weeks in the Carribean, Qatar came calling with a £10k per week proposition which he couldn't refuse.

Khumalo is again the leading scorer, continuing his great form from last season, followed again Letlotlo.

Up next is the (unexpected) cup final against rivals Kaizer Chiefs

Unbelievable scenes!! What was expected to be a defeat turned into a fantastic thrashing, and in turn the club's first ever cup trophy. The winter break has almost arrived, and Miki hopes that some of the income gained from this great cup run can be turned in to further signings to strengthen the squad, which desperately needs some depth for the rest of the season.

fast forwarding through to the back end of the season, Miki has done outstanding things to get the Leopards to the top of the table, and a place in the CAF Confederation Cup (African Champions League) next season!
Since the cup final, the club has yet to lose a match, with a 7-2 and an 8-2 thrashing along the way. A superb freebie from Latvia joined the first team and became captain with a month.

The boardroom was re-arranged mid season, and following an investment into the youth / training facilities which had left the club in deep debt, the new board took out a loan which stabilised the finances somewhat.

Youth intake was incredible, with 2 x 5 stars and 9 x 4 stars looking to come through the ranks!

Miki has been consistently improving his credentials and has now at least basic knowledge of 5 languages (Lithuanian from his home town, English, Sesotho (one of the many South African dialects), Russian and now Arabic from his time as Qatar manager.

The second final of the season beckons! After a fantastic humbling of Orlando Pirates, they face SuperSport who are currently 9th place in the league.

They've only gone and done the unthinkable!

League champions at the first time of asking!!
This is an incredible achievement, considering there were only 230 people watching every match when Miki joined the club.
Now for the crowning victory; their second final of the season awaits...

But heartbreak! The Leopards fell behind early on, and couldn't find the finishing required to win the cup, thanks to a MoM performance by the SuperSport keeper. Nevertheless a most successful season, with CAF Champions League football to look forward to next season, as well as a healthy bank balance thanks to prize money and careful budgeting.

Top scorer was their leading striker Letlotlo, with another free transfer from last season Phohlongo scoring plenty from AMC. However Khumalo the free-scoring DMC is wanted by top clubs in Romania, a blow to the plans for next season. Miki has extended his contract another year, and is looking forward to the challenge of meeting the top clubs in Africa in the CAF cup.

On to Season 3 they go...

Season 3 rolls on...

Miki continues dumbfounding the (reducing) critics by producing results that seem to defy logic. A loss in an early cup competition called MTN8 led the board to assume a mid-table finish, offering low expectations and low budget to match. Results, however, quickly changed their mind.

A loss to Al Ahly in the CAF Chapions League, although expected, was the only blemish on their card after that. They signed a 15 year old first team keeper on a free:

And a Nigerian striker to complement the front line; he has just been smashing them in!

And half way through Season 3, they go on to retain the cup; check out that score!!

Meanwhile, Miki has been doing his homework, with a full upgrade of the backroom staff. More qualified and variety of nationalities in the scouting department means excellent recommendations are flowing in. His qualifications are improving, as are his grasp of 5 languages.

The home leg of the Al Ahly match awaits, with a place in the later rounds of the CAF Champions League at stake…

Continuing the report of Season 3, and all the negative and pessimistic expectations have now disappeared. The Leopards are showing themselves to be a real force to be reckoned with, having taken the CAF Group stage in first place, via a very comfortable 3-0 home win against the holders (and winners of 5 of the past six versions) Al Ahly. An 11-2 thrashing of USM Alger followed, and a place in the semis awaits, against the in-form CS Sfax.

Youth intake this season was incredible, with 4 x 5 star talents and 7 x 4 stars coming through the improved academy. Miki has wisely invested the bounty gained from last season's Premiership and cup wins and boosted all the facilities across the board. The Leopards now have an average attendance of 9,400 as opposed to 235 when Miki took over. A new stadium is due to be finished by the end of next season, and things are looking really bright for the future of the Black Leopards.

A couple of super signings will be joining in close-season, and the backroom staff has been improved immensely.
Youth facilities now a 14, recruitment 17, junior coaching 17 and more improvements to follow.

A clear out of the dead-wood is planned for the end of the season. But the Leopards still have small hopes of reaching their first ever CAF Champions League final...

And for the very first time in the Leopards' history, they have lifted the CAF Champions League trophy at the very first time of asking! Incredible scenes at their home ground, as they thrashed their closest rivals Orlando Pirates 5-1 over the two legged final.

As Miki looks on with tears in his eyes, he knows that stage one of the Pentagon Challenge has been completed in just three seasons. He glances down at his phone, where prime offers from several clubs across Asia have been drawing his attention, knowing that the Leopards will always hold a cherished place in his heart.

Going to the World Cup with Qatar, plans to be an eye-opening experience. With extremely low expectations, his players can enjoy the sights and sounds without the pressure of needing to progress far into the cup.

An application from Kasimpasa, recently relegated from the Turkish top league, was turned down due to the club being in a really bad financial spot.

A fabulous return of 44 goals from the line leader Alimi, coupled with 32 assists from another free transfer Sekgota, proved what a shrewd and canny head is on the shoulders of Miki. But will he still be at the head of the Leopards come next season? Only time will tell…