As the 2024/25 Betway Premiership is set to begin next week, Afrik-Foot examines the coaches of the 16 participating clubs, presenting several fascinating insights about them.
1 – Nasreddine Nabi (Kaizer Chiefs)
The newly-appointed Tunisian coach is expected to bring back the glory days to Naturena with the club having been struggling for a decade now.
Amakhosi have been hunting for his services for the past two seasons and it remains to be seen if he can wake up the sleeping giant.
Regardless of the weather conditions—be it cold, sunny, or rainy—Nabi consistently wears his dark sunglasses. He continues to face difficulties with the English language and relies on a translator for communication.
2 – Miguel Cardoso (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Mamelodi Sundowns have made a significant change to their coaching staff, appointing Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso as their new head coach.
The 52-year-old replaces Manqoba Mngqithi, who was dismissed along with assistants Wendell Robinson and Romain Folz.
Cardoso arrives at the club with his own coaching team, comprising Fabio Fernandes, Pedro Azevedo, and João Araújo. They will join forces with the retained duo of Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 2023/24 | Esperance | 26 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 43 | 18 |
| Totals | 26 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 43 | 18 |
3 – Jose Riveiro (Orlando Pirates)
This marks his third season with the Buccaneers, having joined the team in 2022. Initially referred to as the “plumber” during his early months leading the Sea Robbers, he quickly proved himself.
He has secured four trophies for the club, including two MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups.
His chairman, Irvin Khoza, characterises him as a person who “doesn’t talk too much” and focuses on fulfilling what he came for in this country.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 2022/23 | Orlando Pirates | 39 | 23 | 8 | 8 | 55 | 26 |
| 2023/24 | Orlando Pirates | 45 | 25 | 10 | 10 | 77 | 33 |
| 2024/25 | Orlando Pirates | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| Total | 89 | 51 | 20 | 18 | 142 | 61 |
4 – Gavin Hunt (SuperSport United)
Hunt is recognised as one of the most accomplished coaches in South African football, having won four league titles with both SuperSport and Bidvest Wits.
This is his second tenure with Matsatsantsa, and he has not yet achieved any silverware since his return.
He is also noted for his short temper, particularly when it was a bad day for his side in the office.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 1998/99 | Seven Stars | 20 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 24 |
| Hellenic | 21 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 28 | |
| 1999/00 | Hellenic | 40 | 15 | 9 | 16 | 70 | 53 |
| 2000/01 | Hellenic | 33 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 29 | 39 |
| 2001/02 | Black Leopards | 35 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 58 | 49 |
| 2002/03 | Moroka Swallows | 33 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 52 | 45 |
| 2003/04 | Moroka Swallows | 40 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 63 | 42 |
| 2004/05 | Moroka Swallows | 38 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 53 | 39 |
| 2005/06 | Moroka Swallows | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 43 | 39 |
| 2006/07 | Moroka Swallows | 35 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 38 | 32 |
| 2007/08 | SuperSport United | 35 | 18 | 6 | 11 | 46 | 33 |
| 2008/09 | SuperSport United | 40 | 21 | 9 | 10 | 64 | 36 |
| 2009/10 | SuperSport United | 40 | 19 | 13 | 8 | 71 | 41 |
| 2010/11 | SuperSport United | 41 | 16 | 8 | 17 | 44 | 51 |
| 2011/12 | SuperSport United | 37 | 19 | 10 | 8 | 49 | 30 |
| 2012/13 | SuperSport United | 45 | 16 | 22 | 7 | 52 | 37 |
| 2013/14 | Bidvest Wits | 39 | 20 | 9 | 10 | 53 | 36 |
| 2014/15 | BidVest Wits | 40 | 18 | 9 | 13 | 46 | 37 |
| 2015/16 | BidVest Wits | 41 | 22 | 8 | 11 | 67 | 35 |
| 2016/17 | BidVest Wits | 43 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 63 | 32 |
| 2017/18 | BidVest Wits | 44 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 41 | 47 |
| 2018/19 | BidVest Wits | 36 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 57 | 36 |
| 2019/20 | BidVest Wits | 46 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 51 | 37 |
| 2020/21 | Kaizer Chiefs | 44 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 44 | 52 |
| 2021/22 | Chippa United | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| 2022/23 | SuperSport United | 32 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 35 | 26 |
| 2023/24 | SuperSport United | 35 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 40 | 44 |
| 2024/25 | SuperSport United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Totals | 978 | 409 | 282 | 287 | 1276 | 1014 |
5 – Muhsin Ertugral (Cape Town City)
Following Muhsin Ertugral's departure on Monday, Cape Town City have announced that Diogo Peral will take over as head coach for the remainder of the season.
The club also confirmed that veteran coach Roger de Sa will join as an assistant to Peral.
Peral has a long history with Cape Town City, having served as assistant coach under both Jan Olde Reikerink and Eric Tinkler.
He also briefly led the team for two matches in 2021 after Olde Reikerink was dismissed and before Tinkler's appointment.
6 – Steve Barker (Stellenbosch FC)
Barker and his team have been successful in the past two seasons, reaching five semi-finals in a row in cup competitions.
He guided Stellies to Carling Knockout Cup success, beating TS Galaxy in the final in last season. Meanwhile, the Cape Winelands side has also reached MTN8 final where they will meet Orlando Pirates on 5 October.
He comes from football family. He’s the nephew of the late former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker who won 1996 AFCON.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 2012/13 | University of Pretoria | 32 | 8 | 17 | 7 | 34 | 30 |
| 2013/14 | University of Pretoria | 33 | 10 | 5 | 18 | 25 | 33 |
| 2014/15 | University of Pretoria | 13 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 15 |
| AmaZulu | 20 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 25 | 27 | |
| 2019/20 | Stellenbosch | 32 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 28 | 37 |
| 2020/21 | Stellenbosch | 31 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 28 | 35 |
| 2021/22 | Stellenbosch | 31 | 11 | 14 | 6 | 32 | 24 |
| 2022/23 | Stellenbosch | 35 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 51 | 43 |
| 2023/24 | Stellenbosch | 41 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 62 | 32 |
| 2024/25 | Stellenbosch | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| Totals | 274 | 92 | 91 | 91 | 211 | 276 |
7 – Phuti Mohafe (Polokwane City)
Phuti Mohafe assumed his role following the departure of Lehlohonolo Seema to Sekhukhune United. During the previous season, he secured commendable results, leading the club to its inaugural top-eight finish in its history.
Mohafe consistently maintains a cheerful demeanor, whether he is givining instructions to players or answering difficult questions from journalists in the media room.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 2016/17 | Polokwane City (co-coach with Molekwa) | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 12 |
| 2023/24 | Polokwane City | 19 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 17 |
| 2024/25 | Polokwane City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 32 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 26 | 30 |
8 – Erick Tinkler (Sekhukhune United)
Babina Noko are the latest team to make a coaching change, sacking Lehlohonolo Seema despite the club being in the top five of the Betway Premiership standings.
The Limpopo outfit appointed Erick Tinkler who has been unattached for more than two months after being dismissed by Cape Town City.
Tinkler came in with new assistant coach in Marc van Heerden. Paulus Masehe stayed put as another assistant coach while Kaitano Tembo departed the club.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 2016/17 | Bloemfontein Celtic | 27 | 6 | 12 | 9 | 18 | 25 |
| 2018/19 | Bloemfontein Celtic – co-coach with John Maduka | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 24 | 24 |
| 2019/20 | Bloemfontein Celtic – co-coach with John Maduka | 28 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 42 | 41 |
| 2019/20 | Chippa United | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 2020/21 | Chippa United | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| 2020/21 | Black Leopards | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 25 |
| 2020/21 | Chippa United | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 2021/22 | Lamontville Golden Arrows | 25 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 30 | 36 |
| 2022/23 | Chippa United | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 2023/24 | Polokwane City | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 12 |
| Sekhukhune United | 24 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 23 | 18 | |
| 2024/25 | Sekhukhune United | ||||||
| Total | 134 | 36 | 45 | 52 | 141 | 176 |
9 – Owen Da Gama (Magesi FC)
The Limpopo outfit appointed former Orlando Pirates coach Owen Da Gama following the abrupt resignation of Clinton Larsen.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| TOTAL |
10 – Thabo September (Chippa United)
The Chilli Boys recently appointed Thabo September as the new head coach after Kwanele Kopo left following the end of his contract.
Chippa also added Mabhuti Khenyeza as the new assistant coach, joining September who was elevated from that position.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
11 – Abdeslam Ouaddou (Marumo Gallants)
Gallants appointed Abdeslam Ouaddou in February following the dismissal of Dan Malesela who had been with the club from the start of the campaign.
The French-Moroccan coach, Ouaddou resigned as AS Vita coach in September last year after a defeat at the hands of Stellenbosch FC in the CAF Champions League.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 2015/16 | Chippa United | 20 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 28 | 23 |
| 2016/17 | Chippa United | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 32 | 31 |
| 2017/18 | Chippa United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 2018/19 | Chippa United | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 2020/21 | TS Galaxy | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Chippa United | 16 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 23 | |
| 2021/22 | Marumo Gallants | 28 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 25 | 19 |
| 2022/23 | Royal AM (co-coach with Nteo, Zondi) | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 11 |
| Marumo Gallants | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 17 | |
| 2024/25 | Marumo Gallants | ||||||
| Total | 138 | 44 | 44 | 50 | 139 | 141 |
12 – Adnan Beganovic (TS Galaxy)
TS Galaxy have become the latest Betway Premiership side to go through a coaching change after Sead Ramovic retired live on TV after their match against Stellenbosch FC.
The Rockets chairman Tim Sukazi didn't waste time but announced the appointment of Adnan Beganovic as the replacement. Beganovic was an assistant coach to Ramovic since 2021.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
13 – Arthur Zwane (AmaZulu FC)
Zwane took over as sole head coach in February this year following the resignation of Vusumuzi Vilakazi who was a co-coach alongside Zwane.
The two had been appointed by Usuthu in October last year, replacing Pablo Franco Martin after a string of poor results.
This is the second time that Zwane spearhead the top-flight team in his career having led Kaizer Chiefs before:
| Coaches | Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zwane | 2023/24 | Chiefs | 37 | 17 | 7 | 13 | 44 | 41 |
| Vilakazi | 22/23 | Arrows | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| Vilakazi | 2023/24 | Richards Bay | 21 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 24 | 24 |
| Totals | ||||||||
| Zwane | 37 | 17 | 7 | 13 | 44 | 41 | ||
| Vilakazi | 27 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 29 | 27 |
14 – John Maduka (Royal AM)
The Malawian coach has been navigating a challenging environment, as the club is currently unable to register new players due to a FIFA transfer ban.
This marks his second tenure with Thwihli Thwahla.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| 2018/19 | Bloemfontein Celtic (co-coach with Seema) | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 24 | 24 |
| 2019/20 | Bloemfontein Celtic (co-coach with Seema) | 28 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 42 | 41 |
| 2019/20 | Bloemfontein Celtic | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 9 |
| 2020/21 | Bloemfontein Celtic | 39 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 36 | 49 |
| 2021/22 | Royal AM | 34 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 50 | 36 |
| 2022/23 | Maritzburg United | 13 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 19 |
| Royal AM | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 18 | 20 | |
| 2023/24 | Royal AM | 32 | 9 | 6 | 17 | 24 | 45 |
| 2024/25 | Royal AM | ||||||
| Total | 187 | 58 | 60 | 69 | 213 | 243 |
15 – Ronnie Gabriel (Richards Bay FC)
The coaching carousel continues to spin at Natal Rich Boyz. Ronnie Gabriel was appointed to replace Brandon Truter who was sacked last year.
Truter has since found a new role as the head coach of Upington City. Gabriel was an assistant to Truter and has had several stints with Richards Bay before they even got promotion to the top-flight.
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| Total |
16 – Manqoba Mngqithi (Golden Arrows)
Abafana Bes’thende recently appointed former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi with Kagisho Dikgacoi and Musa Bilankulu demoted.
The two coaches were in charge of the side for a few months following the departure of Mabhuti Khenyeza
| Year | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| Totals |
