Khumalo questions Siwelele’s decision to dismiss Seema after Chiefs defeat

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has criticised Siwelele FC’s decision to dismiss head coach Lehlohonolo Seema and assistant coach Willem Jackson after less than 24 hours had passed since the club’s narrow 3-2 defeat by Amakhosi.

Siwelele announced on Monday morning that both members of the coaching staff had been relieved of their first-team responsibilities with immediate effect.

The Betway Premiership club said the decision was driven by a disappointing, winless beginning to the 2026/27 campaign. Siwelele sit 14th in the league standings, having collected only two points from their opening five matches.

Khumalo, however, believes the decision was made prematurely.

The former Kaizer Chiefs star highlighted the operational difficulties Seema had spoken about, including demanding travel arrangements that required the squad to cover between 300 and 500 kilometres by road for almost every fixture.

Seema joined Siwelele before the club’s first season in the top flight and was credited with helping to bring stability after a turbulent period of transition.

The new ownership and management structure had taken over from a struggling SuperSport United side that had narrowly avoided relegation in the previous season’s demanding PSL relegation play-offs.

Despite those difficulties, Seema guided the re-established Bloemfontein-based club to a respectable mid-table finish last season. His tactical management was widely regarded as a key factor in that achievement.

Khumalo said the decision to dismantle a technical team that had delivered immediate stability to a fractured club reflected poorly on Siwelele’s leadership.

“You dismiss a coach of that calibre? You are facing a monster (Mamelodi Sundowns) and you bring in a DDC coach?

“Question mark. That’s it. That’s all I can say.”

The dismissal leaves Siwelele searching for a new coaching structure at a difficult point in the season. The club’s poor start and position near the bottom of the Betway Premiership table were officially given as the reasons for the change, but Khumalo’s comments suggest there are concerns over whether the club has properly considered the wider circumstances surrounding the team’s performances.

Seema is not expected to remain without a club for long despite his sudden departure from the Free State outfit.

KickOff understands that the former Sekhukhune United coach is already attracting significant interest and has several potential opportunities both in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent.

His previous work at Chippa United, where he helped steer the club away from the relegation zone, has strengthened his reputation. Seema has also repeatedly been viewed as a coach capable of helping teams exceed expectations.

As a result, several top-flight clubs monitoring developments are believed to be prepared to move for his services.