Marumo Gallants part ways with Phuti Mohafe and Musa Bilankulu after winless start

Marumo Gallants have dismissed head coach Phuti Mohafe and assistant coach Musa Bilankulu with immediate effect following a difficult opening to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.

The club announced the changes in a statement on Wednesday, bringing an end to Mohafe’s time in charge and removing Bilankulu from his role as assistant coach.

Gallants have collected only two points from their first five league matches and are currently 15th in the standings. Their record under Mohafe consisted of three defeats and two draws, with the latest of those results a 2-2 draw against Polokwane City.

The club confirmed the decision in an official press release, saying: “Marumo Gallants F.C. confirms that the Club has parted ways with Head Coach Phuti Mohafe and Assistant Coach Musa Bilankulu, with immediate effect”.

Second assistant coach Trevor Mathiane will take over as interim head coach. He will lead the team as Gallants prepare for their next league fixture and continue their search for a first victory of the campaign.

Gallants are due to travel to Durban on Saturday, 12 September 2026, to face AmaZulu F.C. at the Princess Magogo Stadium. The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00.

The Limpopo club are level on two points with 14th-placed Siwelele F.C. and know a win away from home would deliver their first three points of the season.

Depending on the results elsewhere and the impact of goal difference, victory against AmaZulu F.C. could lift Gallants from 15th to as high as 11th in the league table. Such a result would allow them to move above teams including Richards Bay and Chippa United.

The coaching change therefore comes at a significant point in Gallants’ season, with Mathiane immediately tasked with trying to improve a side that has yet to win in five league outings.

The club’s announcement follows a start in which Gallants have struggled to convert matches into positive results. Although they have avoided defeat twice, the three losses have left them near the bottom of the Betway Premiership standings.

Their most recent match against Polokwane City offered a point but not the breakthrough victory they need. That result left the club with two points and prompted the decision to make changes to the coaching staff.

Mohafe and Bilankulu have now both left their positions, while Mathiane has been placed in charge on an interim basis ahead of the trip to AmaZulu F.C.

The club’s next game at the Princess Magogo Stadium will provide Mathiane with his first opportunity to oversee the team as it attempts to end its winless run and climb the table.