A Turkish consortium is reportedly eyeing the acquisition of Royal AM Football Club, amid growing uncertainty surrounding the KwaZulu-Natal side’s future in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Sources close to the matter have revealed that the consortium is monitoring the club’s precarious situation, with the PSL’s Board of Governors scheduled to meet this Thursday to discuss the next steps.
Royal AM’s participation in the top flight of South African football is hanging in the balance, as the club faces expulsion due to persistent financial and administrative issues.
The upcoming PSL meeting could seal the club’s fate, with the possibility of the Executive Committee’s decision to remove Royal AM from the league due to ongoing challenges.
The club, owned by influential businesswoman Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, has encountered a series of significant obstacles in recent months.
From unpaid debts and failure to fulfill scheduled fixtures to an ongoing legal battle with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) over alleged tax issues, the club’s troubles have severely damaged its reputation, both locally and within the PSL.
Royal AM’s most recent competitive match took place in December 2024, where they suffered a 3-1 defeat to TS Galaxy. Since then, the league has suspended all of their fixtures, further complicating the club’s already troubled standing.
As it stands, the team is at the bottom of the PSL table, with just eight points from 11 matches, raising doubts about the club’s ability to secure its survival in the league.
While there has been local interest in purchasing Royal AM, previous attempts to sell the club have failed to materialize.
A deal worth R20 million involving businessman Chockalingam ‘Roy’ Moodley and his family’s company, Global Investments, collapsed at the last minute, leaving the club once again searching for a potential buyer.
However, with Royal AM’s future uncertain, international interest in acquiring the club has begun to grow. Sources have confirmed that a Turkish consortium has been closely following developments, eager to explore the opportunity of purchasing the club, contingent on the outcome of this week’s PSL meeting.
The consortium is reportedly in communication with their contacts in South Africa to better understand the situation before proceeding with any formal negotiations.
The potential investors face a significant challenge in determining whether the club’s financial troubles and possible expulsion from the league will present too great a risk.
The current state of Royal AM, including its position at the bottom of the PSL table and its looming threat of expulsion, may prove off-putting for some investors.
However, the Turkish group remains interested, with the possibility of entering the South African football scene offering considerable appeal.
The upcoming PSL Board of Governors meeting is now the focal point for both Royal AM and its potential foreign suitors.
If the league offers a lifeline or a resolution that enables the club to remain in the PSL, it could pave the way for a swift deal. On the other hand, if the club is expelled, it may signal the end of Royal AM’s time in South Africa’s top division, leaving the Turkish consortium to reassess its options.
In the meantime, all eyes will be on Thursday’s critical meeting, which could not only determine the future of Royal AM but potentially usher in a new era of foreign ownership in South African professional football.
“These are business people from Turkey. They are interested in buying the club, but they want to be sure of what its status is with the league. They are in contact with their people in South Africa,” a source told Siya.
