Betway Premiership club Royal AM is facing a potential sale following a lost case to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). SARS submitted a report to the court recommending either liquidation or sale to recover outstanding debts.
Reports indicate that the Pretoria High Court ruled against the Pietermaritzburg-based club on Monday. Consequently, prospective buyers are reportedly already preparing bids to acquire the club's PSL top-flight status.
Afrik-Foot examines five teams that could potentially replace Royal AM, currently owned by Shauwn Mkhize.
FIVE TEAMS THAT SHOULD REPLACE ROYAL AM
1 – Cape Town Spurs
Cape Town Spurs, known as the “Urban Warriors,” are a well-established and professionally run football institution.
Despite suffering relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the end of the previous season after finishing at the bottom of the league, Spurs remain ambitious.
It is noteworthy that Cape Town Spurs previously expressed interest in acquiring Moroka Swallows, a club eventually purchased by Marumo Gallants. This prior interest underscores Cape Town Spurs' desire and ambition to return to the Betway Premiership.
2 – Bloemfontein Celtic
Bloemfontein Celtic, formerly known as “Siwelele Samasele,” ceased to exist when their status was sold to what became Royal AM. Following the sale, the club relocated from the Free State province to Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal.
Since 2021, Bloemfontein Celtic has been participating in the ABC Motsepe League. However, in January, they withdrew from the third-tier league, signaling their ambition to return to top-flight football. Sources indicate that Bloemfontein Celtic is among the clubs interested in acquiring Royal AM status.
3 – Black Leopards
Lidoda Duvha have a history of acquiring club statuses to facilitate their progression. After being relegated to the ABC Motsepe League at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, Black Leopards demonstrated this by purchasing the status of All-Stars, a former Gauteng-based club, enabling their return to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Owned by David Thidiela, Black Leopards has encountered difficulties in securing promotion back to the PSL top-flight through conventional means. The sale of Royal AM’s status could present a significant opportunity for their immediate return.
4 – Bidvest Wits
The Clever Boys were a respected and professional Premiership club before their status was sold to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.
Wits have since been competing in the ABC Motsepe League in Gauteng. The potential availability of PSL status could offer them a route to revive the club and resume their legacy in the top tier of South African football.
5 – Highlands Park
The Lions of the North sold their top-flight status to TS Galaxy in 2020. Similar to Bidvest Wits, they have been competing in the ABC Motsepe League, aiming for promotion to the second-tier.
Seeing their ambitions of growing as a club, Highlands Park may be another team poised to seize the opportunity presented by Royal AM’s status sale.
