Ex-Royal AM Coach Breaks Silence on Club’s Turmoil and Potential Sale
Former Royal AM head coach Khabo Zondo has shared his thoughts on the ongoing troubles at the struggling Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, which has seen its fixtures postponed since the start of the year. The turmoil comes as the club has been put up for sale by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), with the bidding process having officially opened last week.
Zondo, who took charge of Royal AM for the 2022/23 season following John Maduka’s departure to Maritzburg United, has expressed his disappointment at the club’s downfall. His time at the club was short-lived after a failed co-coaching arrangement with Dan Malesela and Abram Nteo.
Zondo Reflects on Royal AM’s Struggles
Speaking to KickOff.com, Zondo revealed that his initial preference was not to be head coach but rather to take on the role of Technical Director. However, he had to accept the head coaching job due to the club’s structural limitations.
“To be honest, from the very beginning, all I wanted was the position of Technical Director, but some clubs are not well-equipped to have such roles in place,” Zondo admitted.
He also acknowledged club owner Shauwn Mkhize’s ambition for Royal AM but suggested that financial constraints and inexperience in football administration played a role in the club’s current crisis.
“The club owner (Shauwn Mkhize) had a vision, to be honest. We discussed many good ideas for the club. What breaks my heart is everything that is happening there right now. That club had so much potential to be among the best, especially considering their passion and vision,” he said.
Financial Woes and Royal AM’s Future
The club’s downfall has been largely attributed to financial struggles, with players and staff reportedly going unpaid. SARS has since seized Royal AM’s assets and put the club up for auction, raising uncertainty over its future.
Zondo emphasized that while Mkhize had great ambitions, financial instability has dictated the club’s fate.
“Unfortunately, in today’s world, everything is determined by money. She is not a bad administrator; she tried her best. We must remember that many aspects were new to her,” the veteran coach explained.
Lessons from Royal AM’s Rise and Fall
Zondo, who previously managed Tembisa Classic and Golden Arrows, suggested that Royal AM’s struggles are not unique, as many football club owners have faced similar challenges.
“In football, there are people who wish you well, while others may not. Some offer genuine advice, while others hope for your failure. It has nothing to do with being streetwise. I know many owners who were streetwise but still failed,” he said.
Despite Royal AM’s current situation, Zondo praised the club’s infrastructure, stating that it had the potential to be one of the best-run teams in South Africa.
“What Royal AM has is something that not many clubs possess. The facilities built on MaMkhize’s farm are not common. Kaizer Chiefs is the only other club with such facilities,” he noted.
With the bidding process now open, the future of Royal AM remains uncertain. The club, once viewed as an exciting force in South African football, now faces the reality of being sold off and possibly restructured under new ownership.
