Siwelele FC Makes Major Changes, Confirms Departures and New Arrival
- Siwelele FC have made sweeping changes at the top, parting ways with their CEO and assistant coach while bringing in new faces to steer the club
- Several players are reportedly under review for their commitment to the team ahead of the transfer window.
- With a challenging start to the season, Siwelele are battling to strengthen their squad before an important upcoming clash
Struggling Premier Soccer League side Siwelele FC have announced major changes just seven games into the new season.
The club has parted ways with chief executive officer Stan Matthews and assistant coach Andre Arendse, with replacements stepping in as the team looks to stabilise ahead of the transfer window.
Matthews, formerly the chief executive officer at Supersport United, took over at Siwelele following the sale of Supersport United.
Source: Facebook
Lerato Kholoanyane will take over as CEO, while former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana defender Willem Jackson joins as the new assistant coach.
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Club chairman Calvin Le’John, the eldest son of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, said the changes were necessary to protect the safety and well-being of staff and their families.
“We have parted ways with our CEO, Stan Matthews and our assistant coach Andre Arendse. They have been great colleagues, but the daily pressures and threats to their lives and families left us no choice,” Le’John said.
The club is also reviewing player contracts.
“We will terminate agreements with players who have not demonstrated the heart and commitment required to fight for this team,” Le’John added.
As seen in the video below:
Briefly News sought a comment from Le John on the issue but he had not replied to questions sent to him by time of publishing this story.
Source: Twitter
Siwelele’s struggles in the PSL
So far this season, Siwelele FC has recorded just one win, one draw, and five losses from seven matches, leaving them 15th on the Premier Soccer League table with four points, the same as bottom-placed Orbit College, but with a slightly better goal difference.
With the PSL transfer window closing on Monday, Siwelele aim to sign five to six new players to bolster the squad ahead of their must-win clash with Orlando Pirates on Tuesday 23 September 2025.
However, the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) has warned the club.
“Contracts are binding under the NSL Handbook and FIFA law. Players cannot be discarded on a whim. Should Siwelele proceed with unilateral terminations, we will challenge them at the NDRC and beyond,” the union said.
Read the statement below by the players union:
Internal tensions behind the scenes
Insiders suggest tension between head coach Lehlohonolo Seema and former assistant Andre Arendse played a role in the shake-up, with disagreements reportedly escalating to Arendse’s dismissal.
As seen in the video below:
Siwelele now faces a critical few days to rebuild both management and squad, with their next fixture against Orlando Pirates shaping up as a must-win encounter.
Calvin Le John speaks on not using his father's surname
Briefly News has previously reported that Siwelele FC owner and Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie's son, Calvin Le John, has spoken publicly for the first time since acquiring SuperSport United in a R50 million deal.
In an exclusive interview with Robert Marawa on 947, Le John addressed speculation surrounding the purchase and explained why he does not carry his father's surname, despite recently confirming that he is indeed McKenzie's son.
Source: Briefly News
