Where it all went Wrong For Royal Am the in Quest to win PSLOnce heralded as one of the most exciting new teams in South African soccer, Royal AM’s fall from third place in the PSL to fighting to avoid relegation in just two years has been dramatic. If they are to return to their former glory, they will have to professionalise their off-field structures.
A major issue at Royal AM has been their alleged failure to honour player contracts. They are in a second successive season with a transfer ban which prevents them from registering new players after FIFA’s ruling over their failure to pay striker Samir Nurkovic — a marquee signing from Kaizer Chiefs. Centre-back Ricardo Nascimento, who was previously very successful at Mamelodi Sundowns, was another player who complained about Royal AM’s alleged failure to pay him.
While the PSL is no stranger to financial turmoil in clubs, the mismanagement at Royal AM has been particularly glaring given their rapid success and the fact that they bought their Premiership status from the much loved Bloemfontein Celtic, who faced financial issues leading to the sale of the club.
Shauwn Mkhize and her son, chairman and player Andile Mpisane, made headlines by handing out cash to players on the pitch after a victory. Intended as a gesture of appreciation, it drew criticism for undermining the club’s professionalism. The PSL is governed by strict regulations, and such actions raised concerns about compliance with financial and ethical standards. As per TimesLIVE, Royal AM was fined R1,650,000.
The incident created an image of disorder at the club. It also raised eyebrows about Mkhize’s approach to player motivation, as rewarding athletes in this manner may have disrupted the professional culture needed for long-term success.
Perhaps the most controversial element of Royal AM’s fall has been the saga involving club chairman Andile Mpisane. Many see Mpisane’s role as a player, the son of Shauwn Mkhize, as a publicity stunt rather than a genuine soccer decision. Despite lacking the soccer pedigree of other players in the squad, Mpisane’s appearances have often taken the spotlight, fuelling allegations of nepotism.
Fans and analysts alike have met Mpisane’s on-field involvement with scepticism, with many believing it has disrupted the team’s focus. His sporadic participation, coupled with a lack of competitive impact, has brought further instability to a team already struggling with consistency. This situation reflects a broader issue of the club’s leadership prioritising image and brand over the soccer-playing needs of the squad.
Behind the headlines, Royal AM’s technical and tactical issues have also played a part in their decline. The club has seen a high turnover of coaches, with a revolving door of managerial appointments contributing to a lack of continuity until they eventually settled with John Maduka after re-hiring him. Meanwhile, some top-performing players who helped the club achieve its impressive third-place finish are no longer there.
It will take a selfless effort from the top down for Royal AM to pull themselves out of the quagmire they find themselves in. This season, they cannot hope for much more than to avoid relegation, but going forward, they will certainly seek to return to their former glory.
They would be well-advised to follow the models of clubs such as SuperSport United and Stellenbosch FC, building solid youth structures and methodically plotting their path up the PSL ranks, rather than burning brightly and yet too quickly for their liking.
