Polokwane City F.C.

Full name Polokwane City Football Club
Founded 2012 (2012), formerly Bay United
Ground Bonnyholm
Capacity 45,500
Chairman Johnny Mogaladi
Coach Bernard Molekwa
League ABSA Premiership
2016–17 ABSA Premiership, 6th

Polokwane City FC is a South African football club based in the city of Polokwane, Limpopo that currently plays in the Premier Soccer League.

History

Polokwane City FC was established under the current name in 2012 although it is a continuation of Bay United whose owners sold the franchise to the Mogaladi family. After playing in various temporary venues, the club was moved officially from Port Elizabeth to Polokwane City.

The club originally came into existence as Bay United in 2006 when the franchise of the struggling National First Division club Maritzburg United was purchased and relocated to Port Elizabeth. The club spent the one season in the Premier Soccer League, and the other years of its existence in the National First Division. Following the 2010–11 NFD season, the club's NFD franchise was moved to Polokwane, Limpopo.

In May 2013 City was promoted to the Premier Soccer League.

Honours

  • National First Division: 1
Champions: 2012–13

November 2012 accident

Four of the club's players died in a traffic accident on 11 November 2012. The crash occurred on the R71 highway, near Polokwane as the players were returning from their match against FC AK. A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drunken and reckless driving. The deceased players were:[1]

  • Khomotso Silvester Mpaketsane (27) – born 13 April 1985 – joined the club in January 2011 (during Bay United F.C. season) and stayed after move to Polokwane
  • Benjamin Moeketsi Nthete (23) – born 22 February 1989 – attacker who joined the club in 2012 on loan from Orlando Pirates
  • Mojalefa Robert Mphuthi (21) – born 31 August 1991 – striker, nicknamed 'Small', who joined the club after it moved to Polokwane
  • Koketso Isaiah Takalo (20) – born 15 February 1992 – left-wing, nicknamed 'Kaiser' or 'KK', who joined the club after it moved to Polokwane

Club officials/Technical team

  • Owner/President: South Africa Phillemon Moloi
  • Chairman: South Africa Isaac Moloi
  • Team manager: South Africa Molato Motloung
  • Coach: Belgium Luc Eymael
  • Fitness Coach: South Africa Patuwe Tsotetsi
  • Assistant Coach: South Africa Abe Vilakazi
  • Physiotherapists: South Africa Puleng Mokoena
  • Kit Manager: South Africa Monyane Sabesa

Current squad

As of 8 February 2018.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Zimbabwe GK George Chigova
2 South Africa DF Thabiso Semenya
4 South Africa DF Thapelo Tshilo
5 South Africa DF Walter Maponyane
7 South Africa FW Sipho Jembula
8 South Africa MF Jabulani Maluleke (Captain)
9 Zimbabwe FW Dominic Chungwa
10 South Africa FW Puleng Tlolane
14 South Africa MF Edgar Manaka
16 Uganda MF Vusimuzi Mngomezulu
17 South Africa FW Rodney Ramagalela
18 South Africa MF Nazier Jacobs
19 South Africa DF Ndivhuwo Ravhuhali
20 Zambia MF Salulani Phiri
No. Position Player
21 South Africa MF Sammy Seabi
22 South Africa DF Sibusiso Mbonani
24 South Africa DF Simphiwe Hlongwane
25 South Africa MF Wiseman Maluleke
26 South Africa DF Elliot Seema
29 Zimbabwe FW Walter Musona
31 South Africa MF Donald Mokondelela
33 South Africa DF Sibusiso Sikhosana
34 Malawi FW Muhammad Sulumba
35 South Africa FW Rendani Ndou
36 South Africa MF Mondli Miya
40 South Africa GK Lehlohonolo Phali
50 South Africa GK Harold Ndlovu

Foreigners

In the South African PSL, only five non-South African nationals can be registered. Foreign players who have acquired permanent residency can be registered as locals. Namibians born before 1990 can be registered as South Africans.

permanent residency

Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer

  • Shirt sponsor: None
  • Kit manufacturer: Mrprice Sports

Notable former coaches

  • Serbia Vladislav Heric (1 July 2012 – 21 Jan 2013)
  • South Africa Duncan Lechesa (22 Jan 2013 – 18 Sept 2013)
  • Brazil Eduardo Schoeler (interim) (18 Sept 2013 – 20 Oct 2013)
  • South Africa Boebie Solomons (20 Oct 2013 – 1 Sept 2014)
  • Serbia Kosta Papić (5 Sept 2014 – 15 Oct 2015)
  • Brazil Júlio Leal (12 Nov 2015 – 6 July 2016)
  • Belgium Luc Eymael (6 July 2016 – )

References

  1. ↑ Kickoff, South Africa: Deceased Polokwane City players named

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