Latest news with #JohnComitis
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Four clubs that could sell their elite status to Comitis after Cape Town City's relegation
TS Galaxy owner Tim Sukazi and Cape Town City boss John Comitis have been good friends for some time. Now that Galaxy have been slapped with a hefty Fifa penalty, it may be a good time to sell. Photo: BackpagePix Cape Town City owner John Comitis, one of the wealthiest club bosses in the PSL, is reportedly actively exploring avenues to purchase the top-flight status of another club. This comes in the wake of City's relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, following a disappointing play-off campaign. Born in Kinshasa, DRC, Comitis is a former professional player who turned out for Wits University, Jomo Cosmos, Hellenic, Cape Town Spurs, Vasco da Gama, and Korinthos FC in Greece. During a recent radio interview, Comitis reflected on the daunting challenge of fighting for promotion in the second tier. Said Comitis: 'The shortest route (buying a franchise) is the best route.' The sentiment echoes Comitis' initial entry into the PSL, when he acquired the status of Mpumalanga Black Aces and subsequently founded Cape Town City in July 2015. He has acknowledged the financial complexities involved and the potential backlash from sponsors, many of whom are hesitant to continue their backing while the club operates outside the top division. City currently have several sponsors on board, but Comitis confirmed they are likely to withdraw if the club competes in the second tier. Questions now swirl around which clubs might be willing to part with their top-flight status — a decision that would come with serious financial implications. While nothing has been confirmed, four clubs have emerged as potential candidates for Comitis' pursuit:
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town City chairman John Comitis considers buying another club's status to remain in the top flight
Staying in the top-flight? Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has hinted that they may have to buy another club's status in order to stay in the Betway Premiership. Photo: BackpagePix When speaking to Robert Marawa on MSW this week, Comitis was asked by a listener if he considered buying another team's status in order to stay in the Betway Premiership. Since being founded in 2016 after purchasing the status of Mpumalanga Black Aces, the Cape Town club have never finished outside of the top eight. And just three years ago, they were the best of the rest as they finished second in the league, 16 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns . The Citizens, who started the season harbouring hopes of a title challenge, were relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship this week after going down to Orbit College in a relegation/promotion match in Rustenburg. 'Well, that's always an option because the PSL has allowed an entry and a window of opportunity for clubs to do that,' Comitis said on the show. 'At the end of the day, for me, it's about providing a service for football players that can get them to the highest level. I've been doing it for 27 years, and it's important that we have the right platform to be able to do that. 'I've got 15 youth internationals in my academy. They don't want to be playing for an NFD club in their future; they want to be at a PSL club, and quite rightly so. We've created a lot of value in these players – for themselves and the club. 'We do run a business at the end of the day. We don't ever deny that, but it's a mutually beneficial business – everybody concerned is a winner when we have a successful player that comes through the ranks and makes it professionally. And we've been servicing this industry for 30 years. 'It's a lot easier to do it at PSL level. There's a certain funding that you have, there's an exposure level, which is what you need. It creates value for your players and the club. All these things don't exist in the NFD. So, for me, it's critical that we get back into the PSL, and the shortest route is obviously the best route.' IOL Sport
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
City chairman Comitis singles out big-name players after relegation
'It was like mixing oil with water. Nothing worked. They didn't stand up to be counted,' Comitis told 94.7FM. Cape Town City owner John Comitis has hit out at the performance of Cape Town City's headline signings this season. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has slammed the big-name players that the club signed this season following their relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. ALSO READ: Sundowns can hold their heads high despite World Club Cup exit City lost 1-0 to Orbit FC at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Wednesday to seal their fate, while Orbit have been promoted to the Betway Premiership. City's experienced players The Mother City outfit brought in a wealth of experience in players like Fortune Makaringe, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Thulani Serero. But it didn't work as City finished 15th in the Premiership table and ultimately failed to retain their top flight status. 'We added nine players, all big hitters with big salaries,' Comitis told Robert Marawa on 94.7FM. 'They came from big overseas clubs. They had been playing on the bench at most of those clubs, but they were big brands and we thought it was what the club needs. 'We had maturity mixed with youth and we thought it was a good mix. But it was like mixing oil with water. Nothing worked. They didn't stand up to be counted.' City sacked head coach Eric Tinkler at the end of 2024, and Muhsin Ertugral came in as interim head coach. Despite wins over Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, however, Ertugral was unable to halt the slide. Neither was Diogo Peral, who replaced Ertugral in March. 'If Eric had stayed could we have done something more? Who knows? If we had stuck with Muhsin would we have got something out of it? Who knows? Was Diogo the right choice? Who knows?' Added Comitis. 'A lot of disappointment' ALSO READ: Motaung not definitive on whether Chiefs' Nabi will stay 'The bottom line is none of us are players. There are 11 on the pitch and five substitutes (that can come on). And these weren't small-time players. They were big players with big names and there was a lot of disappointment.'
The South African
6 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Cape Town City plot return to Betway Prem to save sponsorships
Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has revealed bold plans to return his club to the Betway Premiership, with the purchase of a top-flight status now a serious option. In a candid interview on MSW , Comitis admitted that City's relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship could trigger the loss of vital sponsors, including banking powerhouse FNB. He stressed that the club must return to the PSL immediately to avoid a damaging fallout. 'Well, you know, that's always an option because the PSL has allowed an entry and a window of opportunity for clubs to do that,' Comitis explained. Comitis didn't hold back when highlighting the financial strain relegation brings, particularly in the area of commercial partnerships. 'I don't think we would be able to carry any sponsorship in the NFD, and quite rightly so, there's no exposure there. It's a long, hard road,' he stated. He made it clear that the loss of television exposure and funding at second-tier level leaves little incentive for top-tier sponsors to remain involved. Comitis emphasised the need to provide a high-performance environment for the club's players, including 15 youth internationals currently in the academy. 'They don't want to be playing for an NFD club in their future; they want to be at a PSL club, and quite rightly so. We've created a lot of value in these players for themselves and the club,' he said. He argued that keeping the club in the lower division does a disservice to both the players and South African football, considering the development pipeline City has cultivated over the years. Comitis insisted that purchasing a PSL spot may be the only realistic way back into the league in time to save the club's business model and maintain relevance. 'There's a certain amount of funding and exposure you have at the PSL level, which you need to create value for your players and your club. All these things don't exist in the NFD,' he stressed. Despite the uncertainty, Cape Town City have already taken action to prepare for the 2025/2026 season. 'We're working around the clock to see what the possibilities are. We've already got our new coach who's arrived in the country for next season, either way,' Comitis confirmed. His proactive approach underlines how seriously the club views the need for a swift return to top-tier football, especially with their youth system, sponsorships, and long-term vision all at stake. Who will Cape Town City buy to get back to the top flight? 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.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Squad imbalance, poor management decisions led to Cape Town City's PSL relegation
Cape Town City owner John Comitis will start preparing for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Photo: BackpagePix Comment by Herman Gibbs Cape Town City FC's stint in the top-flight Premiership came to a catastrophic end following a 1-0 defeat against Orbit College in a PSL promotion/relegation playoff clash on Wednesday. Players were left in shock as disbelief swept through the squad after the final whistle, their dreams of remaining in the Premiership dashed in a match that epitomised their struggles this season. Cape Town City, historically a formidable presence by finishing in the top eight for each of their previous eight seasons, found themselves failing to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. In what is a seismic shift in South African football, the club's catastrophic fall to the First Division marks a spectacular decline for a team that was once a formidable presence in South African football. This season's results contrast starkly with City's notable achievements, such as winning the 2016 Telkom Knockout, the 2018 MTN8, and finishing runners-up in the 2021-22 season behind perennial champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Wednesday's defeat, which resulted from a performance devoid of the necessary grit and determination, has left fans and analysts questioning the heart and character of the squad. With the likes of Thulani Serero, Thabo Nodada, Fortune Makaringe and Lorenzo Gordinho, as well as veteran players such as Darren Keet and Thamsanqa Mkhize, City entered the playoffs with high expectations. However, the weight of pressure was palpable, and when it mattered most, the team failed to step up, lacking the resolve to fight for their survival. 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 ✕ Ad loading In the past few weeks, analysts pointed to the squad's imbalance, exacerbated further by insipid recruitment strategies and poor management decisions throughout the season. Since the departure of Khanyisa Mayo to CR Belouizdad in Algeria, the striker dilemma has plagued the side. Their late-season signing, Amadou Soukouna, failed to make a significant impact at the Citizens. The decision to let go of pivotal players such as Darwin Gonzalez, their highest scorer, proved to be a baffling move that left a gaping hole in an already fragile line-up ahead of the playoffs. City's efforts were further hampered by the departure of key defender Keanu Cupido, who was sold to Sundowns, leaving the team vulnerable at the back. Halfway through the season, the club was thrown into disarray as it grappled with the consequences of managerial decisions. In December, the dismissal of head coach Eric Tinkler initiated a ripple effect that has left the club's future precariously hanging in the balance. In a bid to right the ship, the club appointed the seasoned Muhsin Ertugral, whose extensive experience in South African football was seen as a glimmer of hope. Today it hurts. Tomorrow marks the start of a response that'll define us. Thank you for your support, Citizens. Keep your heads up. We leave with heavy hearts, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 💙#iamCityFC — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) June 25, 2025 Initial successes against heavyweight rivals, including dramatic victories over established teams like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, fostered a sense of optimism among fans and board members alike. However, this promising start quickly faded, and results took a downward spiral that would seal the team's fate. Owner John Comitis, a respected figure in South African football administration, must ultimately shoulder the blame. He faced mounting criticism for the decisions he made. In hindsight, he failed to make prudent investments and recruit suitably experienced players. As the club transitions into the Motsepe Foundation Championship next season, the focus will inevitably shift to rebuilding a squad capable of attaining promotion back to the top-flight. This relegation not only marks a significant loss for the club, but also reverberates through the local football community in Cape Town, where the absence of a top-tier squad will leave a noticeable void. Football fans in the Mother City and promising young players face an uncertain future, and the once-celebrated Cape Town City find themselves at a crossroads.
