Seven coaches dismissed in 90 days as Betway Premiership turns ruthless

Seven head coaches have lost their jobs within the first three months of the Betway Premiership season, underlining the lack of patience in South African top-flight football.

League position has offered little protection, with clubs quick to make changes when results fail to meet expectations. Pitso Dladla’s dismissal by Lamontville Golden Arrows is the clearest example.

Dladla had guided Arrows to the MTN8 semi-finals and eighth place in the league, but one win from eight matches was enough to cost him his position when Mandla Ncikazi became available after leaving his assistant coach role at Orlando Pirates.

Ncikazi takes charge of an organised squad rather than a team in crisis. Anything short of a top-eight finish and more fluent attacking football will therefore place pressure on the decision to remove Dladla.

The seven departures

Pitso Dladla – Lamontville Golden Arrows Replaced by: Mandla Ncikazi

Dladla’s exit was arguably the most severe of the seven. Despite maintaining a solid mid-table position and reaching the MTN8 semi-finals, he was replaced by the high-profile returning Ncikazi.

Khalil Ben Youssef – Durban City FC Replaced by: Eric Tinkler

Ben Youssef led Durban City through the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, but inconsistent domestic results prompted the club to act.

Eric Tinkler made an immediate impact, taking City through the second preliminary round with a 6-1 aggregate victory over AS Port Louis. That result secured the club’s first place in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.

Tinkler’s next challenge is to improve City’s league form. They sit 10th with seven points and face a difficult home match against Stellies FC in the Carling Knockout Cup tonight.

Lehlohonolo Seema – Siwelele FC Replaced by: Godfrey Mosoetsa (caretaker)

Seema helped save the club from relegation last season but was dismissed after a poor start following the off-season sale of several key players.

He left alongside assistant coach Willem Jackson and was later redeployed to the DStv Diski Challenge side. Mosoetsa ended a damaging losing run with a narrow victory over Polokwane City, although Siwelele remain 14th and embroiled in a relegation battle.

Cedric Kaze – Sekhukhune United Replaced by: Papi Zothwane

Kaze was the first managerial casualty of the season after his expansive approach failed to produce early results.

Sekhukhune have become more attack-minded under Papi Zothwane and have collected 14 points from their opening eight matches. That run has lifted them to sixth in the Betway Premiership and included a crucial 3-1 victory over Richards Bay, which took them into the Carling Knockout quarter-finals.

Phuti Mohafe – Marumo Gallants Replaced by: Ronnie Kanalelo

Mohafe’s tenure deteriorated after a five-match winless run. Former Namibia international Ronnie Kanalelo replaced him, but progress has been limited.

Gallants appear slightly more compact defensively, yet their lack of attacking threat has left them bottom of the table.

Ronnie Gabriel – Richards Bay FC Replaced by: Dimitar Pantev

Gabriel resigned after Richards Bay began the campaign with six matches without a win.

Under Bulgarian coach Pantev, the Natal Rich Boys have continued to struggle for defensive solidity and goals. They are second from bottom and remain without a league victory.

Bernard Parker – TS Galaxy Replaced by: Esau Mtsweni

Parker’s move from dressing-room leader to head coach proved difficult. Defensive weaknesses and early defeats resulted in his reassignment to the development ranks.

Galaxy have continued to struggle under Mtsweni, including a 3-0 defeat by Pirates. The club has agreed to appoint Bosnian coach Admir Adzem, but visa and work permit problems have delayed his arrival.

TS Galaxy are 13th, one place above Siwelele, with both clubs on six points.