Sekhukhune United part ways with Cedric Kaze after seven games

Sekhukhune United have confirmed the departure of head coach Cedric Kaze, with assistant coach Papi Zothwane taking over from the Burundian for the remainder of the campaign.

The decision was reached by mutual agreement between Kaze and the club, bringing his spell in charge to an end after only seven matches of the 2026/27 season. Kaze had signed a one-year contract with Sekhukhune United before the start of the campaign.

Zothwane, who joined the coaching staff as Kaze’s assistant at the beginning of the season, will now assume responsibility for the team. He will be supported by Paulus Masehe and Nascent Nkwashu.

The club’s announcement follows a difficult opening period for Kaze, who recorded three victories and four defeats during his time in charge of Babina Noko. His losses included a defeat by Kaizer Chiefs and three successive setbacks against Orlando Pirates.

Those three matches against Orlando Pirates included both legs of the MTN8 semi-final. The sequence of results came during the opening seven games of Kaze’s tenure and preceded the decision for the two parties to end their agreement.

Sekhukhune United’s announcement confirms that Zothwane will be the immediate replacement, with Masehe and Nkwashu joining him as part of the new coaching arrangement. The club has therefore moved quickly to put a revised technical team in place following Kaze’s departure.

Kaze’s exit represents the end of a short spell in charge, with his one-year agreement lasting only seven fixtures into the new season. During that period, Sekhukhune United’s record stood at three wins and four defeats.

The losses to Orlando Pirates were particularly significant because they came across the two matches of the MTN8 semi-final. The other defeat listed in the club’s record came against Kaizer Chiefs.

Zothwane’s promotion follows his role as Kaze’s assistant since the start of the 2026/27 campaign. He will now lead the team with Masehe and Nkwashu assisting him.

The change was first reported by iDiski Times before Sekhukhune United confirmed that Kaze had left by mutual consent.

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