Sliema McDonald's have appointed Sergio Afric as their coach for the next two seasons, the 2008 BOV waterpolo league and cup winners announced on their website (www.sliema-asc.org.mt).

The much-travelled Afric returns for a second spell with the Blues after calling time on his four-year reign as coach of Neptunes, Sliema ASC's bitter rivals.

In his first spell with Sliema from 2001 to 2004, Afric, who also has a contract with the ASA to supervise the training and progress of the national teams at all levels, led the Blues to four consecutive league titles.

"The club is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with Sergio Afric to be the head coach for the coming two years," a report on the Sliema ASC website said.

"The agreement is effective from October 1, 2008 and for the first time in the club's history, the appointment of a foreign coach will be on a 12-month basis and not just for the summer months."

Croatian Afric succeeds Igor Gocanin who guided Sliema to a league and cup double in his second and final season in charge. Sliema clinched their 30th championship in emphatic style last month, winning all but one of their 13 league matches. In the BOV Knock-Out final, Sliema beat Neptunes 14-11.

"The club would like to thank outgoing coach Igor Gocanin for his services during the last two summers and wish him success in his future commitments overseas," the Sliema report added.

Long-serving coach Peter Decesare will continue to form an integral part of the club's coaching staff, the Sliema ASC report said.

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