Phuti Mohafe’s tenure as head coach of Marumo Gallants FC lasted just five games before he was relieved of his duties. His dismissal is part of a wider pattern of instability in the Betway Premiership, where five clubs have changed managers after only seven rounds of fixtures.
Former defender Gavin Lane, who experienced a sudden firing himself, described the current situation as ridiculous. He pointed to financial insecurity and executive interference as core problems. “Now five or six coaches are gone, and it’s the seventh league game of the season. That’s ridiculous,” Lane said. “The problem is you have a contract with the club, and I don’t think they pay that too well anyway when you get fired.”
Lane recalled his own abrupt exit while serving as an assistant at AmaZulu, illustrating how little job security exists. “One day we went to play Chiefs, I wasn’t even sitting on the bench, I was sitting in the players’ lounge,” he said. “On Monday we had a meeting, and he fired everyone, including myself, all of us.”
The club’s decision comes amid a dire start to the campaign. Marumo Gallants sit 16th in the Premier Soccer League with just two points from seven matches, leaving them 18 points adrift of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Their recent form shows one draw and two losses, including a 2-0 home defeat to Orlando Pirates in their last outing on 20 September.
With only five goals scored and 13 conceded, the team’s struggles are clear. Top scorer M. Ndlovu has netted twice, but the overall performance has been insufficient. The search for a new permanent manager is now urgent ahead of a difficult trip to face sixth-placed Sekhukhune United on 17 October.
Lane suggested that behind-the-scenes demands from club owners often make a manager’s position impossible. He cited the example of Gavin Hunt’s departure from Durban City last season, where owner instructions reportedly conflicted with football strategy. The financial fallout for dismissed coaches is another significant concern, with settlements often being poorly handled.
This environment creates a cycle of short-term appointments and instability. For Marumo Gallants, the immediate task is to appoint a successor who can address the team’s defensive frailties and lift them off the bottom of the table. The club’s next match against Sekhukhune United, who recently parted ways with their own coach Cedric Kaze, will be a critical early test for whoever takes charge. Supporters can view the current squad as the new era begins.
The report in full is at goal.com
