Royal AM’s potential exit a setback for KZN title aspirations, says Golden Arrows' Manqoba Mngqithi

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has expressed concern over the likely exit of Royal AM from the Premier Soccer League, saying it would be a major blow to KwaZulu-Natal’s long-term ambitions of producing another league-winning team.

The last time a team from the province lifted the South African top-flight title was in 1996, when Manning Rangers triumphed under coach Gordon Igesund in the inaugural PSL season. 

Since then, trophies have been few and far between for KZN clubs. Arrows’ MTN8 triumph in 2009 under Mngqithi remains the last piece of silverware brought home by a KZN side.

Royal AM’s position in the league has come under threat following serious financial issues. 

Earlier this year, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) placed the club under curatorship, seeking to recover around R40 million in debt linked to a family trust associated with club president Shauwn Mkhize.

Now, the PSL executive committee has recommended that the club’s membership be terminated. 

That proposal must still be voted on by the league’s board of governors, who will make a final decision in the coming days.

Speaking after Arrows’ 1-1 draw against Chippa United at the weekend, Mngqithi shared his disappointment over the situation. 

While acknowledging that it’s out of his hands, he reflected on the broader impact on the province’s football scene.

“I think it’s an unfortunate situation and it’s something we can’t control, and with things you can’t control, it’s best to accept fate,” Mngqithi said.

“It was always nice to have so many teams in the province and it could’ve been nicer with Durban City coming into the top flight.”

Mngqithi believes that the presence of multiple KZN teams is essential to improving the competitiveness and sustainability of clubs in the region. 

According to him, fewer teams in the province will lead to increased travel demands, greater financial strain, and reduced opportunities for players and coaches.

“When we have so many teams, that raises the chances of a KZN team to possibly win the championship someday because the travelling of these coastal teams is always the biggest challenge,” he explained.

“If you look at how many teams are based in Gauteng, it always poses difficulty for these [KZN] teams and most of these teams don’t even have the same level of sponsorship.

He further added: “So when you’ve got a lot of games that are played in and around KZN, it gives a little bit of a breather to use the grants or sponsorship to sustain yourself or possibly get players that can help you do well.”

“So it’s sad that we’re gonna lose a team in the way that we’re most likely to lose Royal AM.”

The outcome of the board’s vote will determine whether KZN football retains one of its recent football faces, another step back in its pursuit of long-term success in South African football.