Magesi FC announces John Maduka as new coach ahead of 2025/26 season
MAGESI FC have hired Malawian John Maduka as their new coach foe the upcoming Betway Premiership 2025/26 season.
The Limpopo outfit revealed the former Royal AM coach, Maduka as their new coach on their social media platform X.
"HE'S HERE! Magesi Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of John Maduka as head coach. Welcome to the family!"
Maduka replaces Owen da Ga who could not reach an agreement with the club on the terms of a contract renewal after he saved the club from relegation.
Da Gama joined Magesi in December as a replacement for Clinton Larsen who had earned the club promotion and even led them to winning the Carling Knockout, courtesy of a shock 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
Larsen and the club parted ways as the Magesi struggled for good results in the league campaign.
Under Da Gama, they did not really do much better although their ability to avoid defeats at their new home of Seshsgo Stadium - they were previously using the old Peter Mokoba Stadium as their homeground - they garnered enough points to avoid the drop.
They finished in 13th place to retain their elite league status.
Now Maduka, the former Malawian international who was in charge of Royal AM, takes over the baton and expectations from Dikwena.
His mandate will be that he helps the team end much higher than the precarious 13th place.
Maduka was with Royal AM whose season ended prematurely due to club owner Shaun Mkhize's troubles with the South African Revenue Services.
He previously coached Bloemfomtein Celtic.
Details of his contract will be revealed at the press conference coming up in the afternoon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
After last season's MTN8 final heartbreak, Stellenbosch set out with hope against AmaZulu
Steve Barker After a heart-wrenching near miss in last season's MTN8 final, Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker will hope his team will go one better this time. Photo: BackpagePix Stellenbosch FC came painfully close to claiming their maiden MTN8 title last season, only to fall 3-1 to Orlando Pirates in what many deemed a controversial final. With the score level at 1-1, the turning point arrived with a late free-kick that Pirates executed from a disputed position, a decision that went unchallenged due to the absence of VAR. Stellenbosch have finished as quarterfinalists, semifinalists, and runners-up in the last three competitions, and now stand poised to take the next step towards championship glory. On Sunday, Stellenbosch take on AmaZulu in an MTN8 quarter-final (starting 15h00). Both teams, having experienced heartache in previous seasons, are desperate to secure their first title in this competition, making for an exciting matchup between two hungry squads. Coach Steve Barker's Stellenbosch squad faces a challenging rebuild this season after losing key players in the transfer window. The departure of captain and left-back Fawaaz Basadien to Mamelodi Sundowns will be particularly keenly felt, as his creative influence was pivotal. Midfielder Sihle Nduli's move to the Pirates adds to Barker's rebuilding woes as he navigates a new chapter for the club. AmaZulu also enters this quarter-final with a palpable craving for success, making their longing for an MTN8 title even more surprising. Historically, AmaZulu has never managed to lift this trophy despite being a mainstay in South African football. Their near miss in 2022, when they lost 1-0 to Pirates, echoes the disappointment of previous finals, including their 1976 setback against Kaizer Chiefs. With only one knockout trophy, now the Carling Knockout secured back in 1992, other honours have eluded this storied club. Barker urged his side to go all the way this time around. 'Last season we got to the final and unfortunately we didn't go all the way and win it,' Barker said. 'We have a big desire to go one step closer, but we have to get past a difficult opponent. Everybody's ambition is to win the MTN8. 'Preparation has gone well, we worked hard during pre-season and I look forward to the game.' AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane, the Kaizer Chiefs legend, believes that Stellenbosch will present a unique list of challenges. 'Difficult one, Stellenbosch are not an easy team to play against. We are playing in Cape Town. They know the conditions where they are based,' Zwane said. 'So, for us, it will be the case of adapting there and dealing with everything that comes our way. Mentally and physically, the guys are ready, and they know the importance of us going into the next round.' Stellenbosch are likely to adopt an aggressive playing style that puts them on the front foot, with Ashley Cupido leading the charge. His dynamic attacking skills have made waves during the team's pre-season preparations. The versatile forward will be a critical asset as Stellenbosch gears up to showcase their prowess on the pitch. AmaZulu will be keen to thwart Cupido's ambitions with their captain, Riaan Hanamub, spearheading its tightly-knit defence. A player with extensive experience, Hanamub will have the task of not only commanding his backline but also keeping Cupido at bay. The challenge posed by Stellenbosch will require Hanamub's know-how, as he prepares to lead his team against what is expected to be a formidable attacking onslaught.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
PSL avoids chaos as Marumo Gallants receive lenient sanction
The PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has narrowly avoided chaos on the eve of the 2025/26 season, thanks to a lenient outcome in the controversial registration saga involving Marumo Gallants and midfielder Monde Mphambaniso. Cape Town City had been hoping for a last-minute lifeline that might see them reinstated in the Betway Premiership, but those hopes were crushed on Thursday night when the PSL Disciplinary Committee (DC) handed Gallants a R200,000 fine — half suspended — for violating registration rules. That means the MTN8 will go ahead without delay, and the top-flight calendar remains intact, even though the decision leaves many with more questions than answers. City had taken the matter to arbitration through the South African Football Association (SAFA), arguing that Gallants breached league regulations by fielding Mphambaniso in 26 of their 28 league matches last season despite not securing the correct clearance certificate. The PSL handbook clearly stipulates that such documentation is required when a player moves between clubs, especially if they were previously registered as professionals. I hope we get a similar verdict, Marumo Gallants must be fined and Capetown City must play in the NFD — Shamase (@uNdu_Mk) July 28, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The midfielder had been part of the Gallants setup when the club sold its Motsepe Foundation Championship status to Leruma United last year, allowing them to purchase Moroka Swallows' Premiership license. With that transaction, Mphambaniso effectively became a Leruma United player — and thus should have been cleared anew to feature for Gallants. Instead, Gallants simply carried on with him in their squad, setting the stage for a dispute that could've derailed the entire league kickoff. PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu confirmed on Thursday that Gallants had pleaded guilty to misconduct, acknowledging their failure to follow proper procedure in registering Mphambaniso. 'The PSL finalised a disciplinary matter, in which I had proferred charges of misconduct against Marumo Gallants FC and its player Monde Mphambaniso,' said Majavu. 'The case stems from the registration of Mphambaniso, which was procured by Gallants without the required clearance certificate in accordance with the rules of the league.' Marumo Gallants management must apologise to us for bringing us into disrepute. They must also give us an undertaking that they followed due process with all players for 2025/2026 season. — Bra Hloni (@BraHlonisky) August 1, 2025
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Tunisian giants Esperance closing in on Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile
On his way out? According to reports, Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile is set to complete a move to Esperance. Photo: BackpagePix His place in the club has been uncertain over the last couple of weeks, and speculation about his future has been rife. Shalulile currently has two years remaining on his contract with the Betway Premiership kings but has slipped down the pecking order at the club, with Luca Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners preferred ahead of him. With Kaizer Chiefs in desperate need of a prolific frontman, many pundits have linked the 31-year-old with a move to Naturena. Chiefs have struggled for goals over the last two seasons, and a striker who has scored over 100 goals in the PSL could be a perfect option. However, it seems that Esperance, the former team of Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso, look set to steal a march in the race for his signature, according to an iDiski Times report. Should Shalulile move to Tunisia, this could be seen as a lost opportunity for Chiefs, who are still on the hunt for a new striker with a proven goalscoring record in the Betway Premiership. Meanwhile, Ribeiro's future also appears to be up in the air, with the Brazilian being scouted by clubs in Qatar as well as his home country. However, after winning the PSL's Player of the Season award, Ribeiro has insisted he is not going anywhere, and has put his head down in training as Sundowns prepare for the upcoming season, which kicks off this weekend with an MTN8 clash against Richards Bay on Sunday. IOL Sport
