Cedric Kaze sacked by Sekhukhune United after four Betway Premiership games

Cedric Kaze has become the first managerial departure of the 2026-27 Premier Soccer League season after Sekhukhune United ended his contract on Wednesday.

The former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach was dismissed just four matches into the campaign, despite Sekhukhune currently sitting eighth in the Betway Premiership table with six points.

The club said Kaze’s departure was a mutual decision and confirmed that his contract had been terminated with immediate effect. Assistant coach Papi Zothwane will take temporary charge while the Polokwane-based side looks to stabilise its dressing room before its next fixtures.

Sekhukhune did not publicly give a detailed reason for the decision. However, Kaze’s exit comes after the club suffered three successive defeats against reigning Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates.

The first was a 1-0 loss in the opening leg of their MTN8 semi-final. Sekhukhune then lost 2-0 to Pirates in the league before being beaten 3-0 in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final.

Kaze had been appointed with the expectation that he would help guide Sekhukhune into the top four. His tenure began positively, with the team collecting six points from its opening two Betway Premiership matches.

The club said it appreciated Kaze’s professionalism during his short spell in charge, but the speed of the decision underlined the board’s unwillingness to tolerate a prolonged run of poor results.

Kaze’s reputation had grown during his time working alongside Nasreddine Nabi at Kaizer Chiefs, but his brief spell at Sekhukhune highlights the pressure placed on coaches in the PSL, where a difficult sequence of results against a major opponent can quickly lead to a change in the dugout.

Kaze was pictured with former colleague Khalil Ben-Youssef, who remains employed by Durban City.

Early-season managerial departures

The following is the list of first managerial departures in each PSL season, with the number of matches referring to league games:

– 2026-27: Cedric Kaze, Sekhukhune United after four matches – 2025-26: Sinethemba Badela, Chippa United after two matches – 2024-25: Peter Hyballa, Sekhukhune United; Dylan Kerr, Marumo Gallants; Vusimuzi Vilakazi, Richards Bay before the first game of the season – 2023-24: Vusimuzi Vilakazi, Lamontville Golden Arrows after five games – 2022-23: Romain Folz, Marumo Gallants after six games – 2021-22: Joe Zinnbauer, Orlando Pirates before the first game of the season – 2020-21: Patrick Aussems, Black Leopards after three matches – 2019-20: Clinton Larsen, Chippa United; Cavin Johnson, AmaZulu; Lionel Soccoia, Black Leopards after five matches – 2018-19: Dan Malesela, Chippa United after three matches – 2017-18: Sammy Troughton, Free State Stars after two matches – 2016-17: Denis Lavagne, Free State Stars after three matches – 2015-16: Kinnah Phiri, Free State Stars after three matches – 2014-15: Cavin Johnson, SuperSport United after four matches – 2013-14: Duncan Lechesa, Polokwane City after four matches – 2012-13: Manqoba Mngqithi, Chippa United after two matches – 2011-12: Manqoba Mngqithi, AmaZulu after five matches – 2010-11: Savvas Agiomamitis, Mpumalanga Black Aces after three matches – 2009-10: Themba Sithole, Free State Stars after seven matches – 2008-09: David Duncan, Free State Stars before the first game of the season – 2007-08: Kalambay ‘Bibey’ Mutombo, Orlando Pirates after four matches – 2006-07: Kalambay ‘Bibey’ Mutombo, Black Leopards after 10 matches – 2005-06: Jean-Yves Kerjean, Black Leopards after one match – 2004-05: Anteneh Eshete, Dynamos after one match – 2003-04: Walter Rautmann, Black Leopards; Jacob Sakala, Dynamos; Khabo Zondo, Lamontville Golden Arrows; Steve Komphela, Manning Rangers after six matches – 2002-03: Johnny Ferreira, African Wanderers after three matches – 2001-02: Kenny Ndlazi, Ria Stars after one match – 2000-01: Viktor Bondarenko, Umtata Bush Bucks after four matches – 1999-2000: Mario Tuani, African Wanderers; Jan Lechaba, Umtata Bush Bucks after three matches – 1998-99: Kolio Markov, Dynamos after two matches – 1997-98: Duncan Crowie, Santos after two matches – 1996-97: Jeff Butler, Kaizer Chiefs after four matches