Last updated on .From the section Football

Serbian Vladimir Vermezovic has been appointed coach of South African side Orlando Pirates, two years after he resigned from rivals Kaizer Chiefs.

The 50-year-old succeeds Roger de Sa, who quit last month because of exhaustion after 18 months at the helm.

Cheifs said Vermezovic will replace caretaker coach Eric Tinkler once a work permit has been granted.

Vermezovic left Chiefs in 2012 after a three-year spell in which he twice won the League Cup.

His last job was coach of Partizan Belgrade, who he left in April 2013 after less than a year in charge.

Under former South Africa goalkeeper De Sa, Pirates reached last year's African Champions League final, losing 3-1 over two legs to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

They were also beaten in two domestic cup finals this season, and a fixture backlog means they trail league leaders Chiefs by 17 points halfway through the season.