Gomora United appoint Patrick Phungwayo as head coach after Ashley Makhanya exit

Gomora United have placed Patrick Phungwayo in charge of the first team following Ashley Makhanya’s departure, with chairman Joe Seanego confirming the new coaching structure less than two weeks before the Motsepe Foundation Championship begins.

Makhanya left Gomora last week to take up the role of assistant coach at Betway Premiership side Golden Arrows. His exit came two weeks before the start of the new Motsepe Foundation Championship season, leaving the club needing to make a swift decision over his replacement.

Seanego has now confirmed that Phungwayo will become the club’s head coach. Thabo Mashego and Sam Manganyi will assist him, while former captain Manganyi is also set to move into a coaching role.

“The coach will be Patrick Phungwayo and he will be assisted by Thabo Mashego and Sam Manganyi. Manganyi has been our captain, but we are going to make him an assistant coach. Our goalkeeper coach will be King Ndlovu,” Seanego said.

The appointment gives Gomora a settled coaching team ahead of the campaign, which is scheduled to begin on 21 August. Phungwayo will lead the side after Makhanya’s decision to join Golden Arrows, with Mashego and Manganyi supporting him in the technical team.

Gomora have also been linked with a possible change in ownership. A report by KickOff.com said the club had sold a 50% stake to Baduzah Celtics, an ABC Motsepe League club based in Limpopo.

The report further claimed that the proposed new name for the club would be Gomora Baduzah FC. Seanego, however, declined to provide detailed comment on the matter when asked about the reported agreement.

“That’s just social media things. If anything happens, we will announce,” Seanego said to Soccer Laduma.

While the chairman did not confirm or deny the reported sale, he indicated that the club would make an official announcement if there were any developments.

Gomora have meanwhile strengthened their squad before the new season by signing experienced players Kagiso Selemela, Lantshene Phalane, Thato Lingwati and Lebogang Mabotja.

Those additions come as the club prepares for the opening of the Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign and adjusts to the departure of Makhanya. For now, Phungwayo has been entrusted with leading the team, alongside Mashego, Manganyi and goalkeeper coach King Ndlovu.