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IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Durban City's Gavin Hunt concerned over loss of identity in SA football
Veteran coach Gavin Hunt will guide Durban City from the technical area in their debut season of the Betway Premiership. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt has expressed deep concern over the continued erasure of South African football's identity, following yet another major club sale — this time involving his former side, SuperSport United, now renamed Siwelele FC. Hunt, one of the most successful coaches in the local game, guided SuperSport to three consecutive league titles between 2008 and 2010 and is credited with nurturing a generation of top-flight talent during his time at the Tshwane-based outfit. Fix Football #LetsFixSAFootball Image: Independent Media The sale and rebranding of the club is personal for the veteran mentor — and symptomatic, he believes, of a wider issue plaguing the game. 'Club names should not change, that's the first thing I think is important,' Hunt said. 'If people buy clubs, then they should stay in the city the club is from and carry on from there.' This latest move follows a familiar pattern in South African football — Bidvest Wits, another of Hunt's former clubs and the 2016/17 league champions under his leadership, was also sold and dissolved in 2020, cutting ties with a century-long footballing heritage. 'You cannot build a support base, a stadium or training facilities if you're constantly uprooting clubs,' he added. 'So, if you buy a club, leave it where it is and keep the name so we won't have this [loss of history].' Hunt drew parallels with European giants, where foreign ownership rarely results in such radical overhauls. 'When the (Emirati owners or Saudi owners) buy Manchester City or the Americans buy Manchester United and Liverpool, they remain who they are,' he explained. There's no identities being lost — but we've lost our identity in South African football.' The coach warned that this constant shifting is making it harder for fans to connect with teams, particularly when clubs are moved to entirely different provinces or communities. 'People can't align themselves with these clubs because there's no identity and it's very sad to witness,' he said. Currently leading Durban City in the Betway First Division, Hunt is once again at the helm of a club with historic roots. And as someone who has spent decades shaping the local football narrative, he believes the game must return to prioritising long-term vision over short-term deals. While club sales may sometimes be necessary for financial survival, Hunt argues that preserving legacy, geography, and identity should never be compromised. Because for Hunt, football is more than just 90 minutes on a pitch — it's about building something that lives on for generations.
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Durban City announce new signings including an ex-Bafana keeper
City will be led by former SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt this season. Newly promoted Betway Premiership side Durban City FC have confirmed five signings including former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Darren Keet. Keet joins the Durban side following Cape Town City's relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship after they lost out in the Promotional/Relegation playoffs to Orbit College. ALSO READ: Midfielder confirms Orlando Pirates departure City confirmed Keet's capture on their social media pages on Wednesday. 'Durban City FC is proud to welcome seasoned shot-stopper Darren Keet to the Club for the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership Season,' the club announced. Joining Keet at the Durban-based side are Brooklyn Poggenpoel, who previously played for SuperSport United, former Stellenbosch FC defender Liam De Kock, Trevor Mokwena from Upington City and Ghanaian goalkeeper Fredrick Asare. 'Durban City FC is thrilled to announce the arrival of talented midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel ahead of the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership Season. 'Durban City FC is delighted to announce the signing of talented defender Liam De Kock ahead of the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership Season! 'We are thrilled to announce the signing of dynamic forward Trevor Mokwena from Upington City. Trevor joins the squad ahead of the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership season. 'Durban City FC is proud to welcome Ghanaian international goalkeeper Fredrick Asare to the Club for the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership Season,' read other tweets from City. ALSO READ: Sundowns' Ribeiro linked with 'blockbuster' transfer City, who were promoted to the elite league after they won the 2024/25 Motsepe Foundation Championship title, will be led by former SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt this season. Meanwhile, former Cape Town City midfielders Haashim Domingo and Thabo Nodada and ex-SuperSport defender Thulani Hlatshwayo are said to be trying their luck at the club under the watchful eye of Hunt and his technical team.
IOL News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lehlohonolo Seema returns home as Siwelele rise from the ashes
In a twist seemingly scripted for the romance of South African football, Lehlohonolo Seema has returned to where it all began — not to marshal the defence, but to call the shots from the dugout. The former Bloemfontein Celtic captain has been appointed head coach of Siwelele FC, the newly formed side rising from the purchase of SuperSport United's Betway Premiership status. Pending league approval, the team will relocate to the Free State capital, where football hearts have long ached for the return of their beloved green and white. For Seema, this is more than just a coaching job. It's home. It's a legacy. Since retiring, Seema has taken the scenic route to Bloemfontein's technical area — weathering boardroom chaos at Chippa United, pushing young talent at Golden Arrows, and steering Sekhukhune United into the Top 4 before a surprise parting of ways in March this year.
The South African
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: Nabi drops big praise for new signings
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has delivered a glowing assessment of the club's pre-season tour in the Netherlands, highlighting the progress of new signings and the promising emergence of academy talent. Amakhosi touched down in South Africa on Saturday night after an intensive European camp and have now shifted their focus to the upcoming Toyota Cup final clash against Asante Kotoko, set for next Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Nabi believes the new signings will elevate the squad's overall quality. Kaizer Chiefs bolstered their ranks with Nkanyiso Shinga, Ethan Chislett, Thabiso Monyane and Flavio Silva, each featuring in the five matches played during the Dutch tour. Siphesihle Ndlovu, however, missed the camp as his move from SuperSport United was completed after the team had already departed. Despite this, the Tunisian tactician remains optimistic about all the new recruits. 'They need to fully jell with the group,' Nabi told the Chiefs website. 'However, they are all adapting nicely, and they start to understand what I expect from them. Our objective was to sign new players that will bring us to a higher level compared to last season.' Nabi took full advantage of the European tour to assess three rising stars from the DStv Diski Challenge side. Thulani 'Touch' Mabaso, Kabelo 'Festival' Nkgwesa, and striker Naledi Hlongwane all impressed during the friendly fixtures. Hlongwane, in particular, stood out after scoring the only goal in a win over PEC Zwolle, the club's sole victory of the pre-season. 'We don't want to rush them. However, I am always willing to give maximum opportunities to young talents. If you are good enough, you are old enough to play. That's my philosophy,' Nabi emphasised. Reflecting on the camp, Nabi praised the high-quality opposition and the intense training schedule which included double sessions, even on match-eve. 'We saw a lot of positives in our training matches against very strong Dutch opponents. The players have started to understand the way I want them to play, and they jell well as a strong unit,' said the former Young Africans boss. He also lauded the Chiefs' hierarchy for arranging a professional pre-season in picturesque surroundings with world-class facilities. 'We didn't only want quality opponents, we also wanted quantity. Parallel with this, we did some tough physical work at training, even doing double sessions on the day before a match.' Kaizer Chiefs now prepare for the Toyota Cup showdown against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko. Where fans will likely get their first glimpse of Ndlovu in action. For Nabi, the Durban clash marks a crucial opportunity to continue fine-tuning the squad ahead of a demanding campaign. With the club's fresh signings settling in and young stars rising, Amakhosi faithful will be eager to see how Nabi's vision unfolds when the whistle blows at Moses Mabhida. Will Nabi thrive at Kaizer Chiefs this season? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
![Soccer star Thulani Hlatshwayo flexes new R1m ride [PICS]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.citizen.co.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F07%2Fthulani-hlatshwayo-car-vw.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Soccer star Thulani Hlatshwayo flexes new R1m ride [PICS]
Thulani Hlatshwayo is enjoying life off the pitch, just weeks after SuperSport United was sold and his contract expired. Former Bafana Bafana captain and Supersport United defender Thulani 'Tyson' Hlatshwayo showed off his new set of wheels recently. Instagram/ thulani03 South African footballer Thulani 'Tyson' Hlatshwayo may be without a club, but he's definitely not in short supply of style. The 35-year-old former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana captain has recently been spotted behind the wheel of a sleek new Volkswagen Golf 8.5 R, valued at just more than R1 million in South Africa. Thulani Hlatshwayo: Luxury ride for a soccer legend The supercar, known for its turbocharged performance and refined design, joins an impressive garage of vehicles the defender has owned over the years. These included a rugged Jeep Wrangler Rubicon worth around R780,000, and a VW Golf 7 GTI – showcasing Tyson's preference for high-performance machines. Thulani Hlatshwayo shows off his black Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Picture: Instagram Shared in a recent Instagram post, the Golf 8.5 R drew attention for both its bold styling and the timing of its debut, just weeks after Hlatshwayo's contract with SuperSport United officially ended on 30 June 2025. Life after SuperSport: Uncertain future, certain swagger Following the surprise R50-million sale of SuperSport United to Calvin Le John, the son of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, the newly renamed Siwelele FC retained several staff members but did not extend Hlatshwayo's contract. Thulani Hlatshwayo (right) with coach Gavin Hunt after joining Supersport United as defender. Picture: SuperSport/X With his future club still unknown, it's clear that Hlatshwayo is taking time to enjoy the rewards of his hard work, including his flashy new Golf and some well-earned family time. The veteran defender posted some photos of himself and his son posing alongside his new set of wheels. Take a look… ALSO READ: 'If Pitso bought it, I'd be happy' – Masina saddened by SuperSport sale Doting father and husband Over the years, Hlatshwayo has been vocal on social media about his love and affection for his wife, Kenosi Masegela, whom he married in 2017. Thulani 'Tyson' Hlatshwayo and Kenosi Masegela on their wedding day in 2017. Picture: X The Hlatshwayos have become known for their luxury travel escapes, often sharing snapshots from tropical locales such as Thailand and Mauritius. Football star Thulani Hlatshwayo and his wife, Kenosi, on holiday. Picture: Instagram Their wanderlust lifestyle matches Hlatshwayo's high-performance car collection and gives fans a glimpse into the couple's taste for the finer things in life… From captain to cruiser: A storied career Thulani Hlatshwayo's journey from Senaone Gunners FC to captaining both Bidvest Wits and Bafana Bafana has cemented his place in local football history. After joining Orlando Pirates in 2020, expectations were high – especially following his standout performance in the 2019 AFCON, where South Africa stunned hosts Egypt. Thulani Hlatshwayo has not had the best of times at Orlando Pirates. Picture: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images However, his spell at Pirates was marred by limited game time. Speaking to Hlatshwayo admitted he had 'fallen out of love with football' at Pirates, but reignited his passion after reuniting with coach Gavin Hunt at SuperSport. 'I'm happy now, I fell in love with the game again when I joined SuperSport,' he told the sports publication. Thulani Hlatshwayo: Net worth Hlatshwayo's estimated net worth of R2 million remains strong, thanks to endorsements, investments, and long-standing club contracts. According to NewsHub360, his salary during his Orlando Pirates tenure placed him among South Africa's Top 10 highest-earning footballers.
