Siwelele FC dismiss Lehlohonolo Seema after poor start to 2026/27 season

Siwelele FC have removed head coach Lehlohonolo Seema and assistant coach Willem Jackson from first-team duties after a disappointing opening to the 2026/27 campaign.

The Mangaung-based club announced the changes in a statement on Monday, saying it had begun a review of the senior team’s performances and technical programme.

Godfrey Mosoetsa has been placed in charge as caretaker coach with immediate effect.

The decision follows Siwelele’s 3-2 defeat by Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership on Sunday. The match was played at Dobsonville Stadium and left Siwelele 14th in the league table, with two points from their opening five matches.

The club said the current period had been difficult and that its supporters “deserve better” than what they had seen so far this season. However, Siwelele stressed that its confidence in the squad, its players and the wider project remained unchanged.

In its statement, the club said: “Following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season, Siwelele FC has relieved Head Coach Lehlohonolo Seema and Assistant Coach Willem Jackson of their first-team duties while the club conducts a review of the senior team’s performance and technical programme.”

It added: “Godfrey Mosoetsa will assume responsibility for the first team as Caretaker Coach with immediate effect.”

The club said the review would determine its coaching approach for the remainder of the season and that a further announcement would be made once the process had been completed.

Siwelele also confirmed it would not comment further while the review was under way.

The statement said: “This has been a challenging period for the club, and our supporters deserve better than what they have seen so far this season. Our belief in this team, in our players and in what we are building at Siwelele remains unchanged.”

It continued: “This is a moment to stand together, to work harder and to embody the spirit that defines this club: courage, unity and fighting for one another. Our season is still young. We will face the challenge in front of us together, as one team and one family.”

The club ended its statement with the message: “Siwelele sa Masele. Together, we rise.”

The announcement represents an early change in leadership for Siwelele, who have collected only two points from their first five league fixtures. Their latest defeat against Kaizer Chiefs was the immediate result before the club moved to change its technical structure.

The statement was issued by Siwelele FC chairman Calvin le John.

The club’s decision comes as it reviews both the senior team’s performances and the technical programme currently in place. Mosoetsa will oversee the first team while that assessment continues, with Siwelele yet to confirm the longer-term coaching arrangements.