Wati says Kruger United exit was his own decision

Former Kruger United chairman Bongani Wati says he chose to leave the club to concentrate on his business interests and family, rejecting suggestions that he was forced out.

The Mpumalanga businessman’s departure, effective from 23 September, came as a surprise to the local football community. Wati had run the club alongside Basil Khoza since their time in the ABC Motsepe League.

Kruger United said Wati would no longer take part in the club’s operations, including its business, commercial and football affairs. Interim CEO Treasure Mathebula has been appointed to oversee the club’s administration and football matters.

“I was never forced out,” Wati told KickOff in an exclusive interview.

“The reason was to focus on business and family. It’s not that I left Kruger because of anything [untoward], I needed to take a break from football to focus on business and family, which has been suffering for the past three years due to heavy involvement in football,” he said.

Wati added that frequent travel outside South Africa for business had also affected his family life.

“I have also been in and out of the country due to business, and this also affected my family. The club has to continue and grow. We will continue supporting the club. It doesn’t mean that now I am no longer involved, I will stop supporting the club,” he said.

Kruger’s rapid rise

Kruger United were formed in 2023 after purchasing the status of Caroline FC in the ABC Motsepe League in Mpumalanga.

The club spent one season in the provincial third tier before earning promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. They remained there for only one campaign before securing a place in the Betway Premiership.

Wati played a central role in overseeing that swift progression through the South African football system.

The Village Boys are currently 13th in the Betway Premiership table, with four points from seven matches. Their first victory in the top flight came last month, when they defeated TS Galaxy 1-0.

Despite ending his formal involvement, Wati said he would continue to support the club as it attempts to establish itself at the highest level.