John Maduka: Premier Soccer League Coach Sacked, Club Appoints Veteran South African Manager

• Premier Soccer League club Magesi FC have decided to part ways with their head coach after losing their last match
• The Betway Premiership side also announced a veteran South African coach as their new manager for the rest of the season
• The Black Crocodiles' decision to appoint a new coach gathered different reactions from Mzansi football fans on social media

Premier Soccer League side Magesi FC have decided to solve the ongoing rumours surrounding their coaching crew, as they confirmed the sacking of their head coach, John Maduka, on Wednesday, 11 February 2026.

The Black Crocodiles decided to part ways with the former Royal AM coach after they lost their last match against Upington City in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32, and they are without a win in their last five matches in all competitions.

Since the start of the second half of the 2025-26 season this year, Magesi have lost all their games, starting with a 2-0 defeat against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership.

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Magesi sack John Maduka

Magesi took to their official handle on X (formerly known as Twitter) to confirm that they've parted ways with John Maduka.

“Magesi Football Club hereby confirms that the coaching contract of John Maduka has been terminated with immediate effect,” the statement read.

Magesi are currently last in the league standings with just 11 points from 15 matches. They also failed to retain the Carling Knockout Cup title this season after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns in the final last campaign.

The club's board are still optimistic they can escape relegation this campaign as they still have two outstanding games and there are still more than enough matches to save their season.

Magesi appoint veteran South African coach

After deciding to let Maduka go, Magesi went on to announce Allan Freese as the new man in charge of the first team for the rest of the season.

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“The club has finalised contractual arrangements with Coach Allan Freese, who assumes his duties effective immediately," the Black Crocodiles also confirmed.

The former Cape Town All Stars coach is back in the South African top-flight league, and he's tasked with retaining Magesi in the Betway Premiership as they are currently battling relegation.

More recently, Freese's expertise extended beyond South Africa’s borders, with a near-season-long stint in Casablanca as a technical advisor under Rulani Mokwena at Wydad AC.

Freese will have minimal preparation time before taking charge of his first assignment, as Magesi gear up for a pivotal Betway Premiership clash against Golden Arrows this Friday.

Magesi's decision to sack Maduka and appoint Freese as his replacement sparked mixed reactions from Premier Soccer League fans on social media.

Mr Jay Tazz commented:

"Allan Freese is more like appointing Walter Rautmann...The game of soccer evolved so much, and they have nothing to offer currently."

MO-PHALABORW shared:

"So disappointed in you guys, chopping and changing coaches but not buying players for the team to improve and yet you expect different results...mxm."

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TumeloTuks wrote:

"Freese will also be fired before June. Lol aii."

Parablam Cantekarous said:

"You will soon disappear from the PSL if you do not put your house in order."

Mceby Ttune added:

"Next week, “thank you for your service, Mr Allan Freese”

Why Cardoso could be sacked by Sundowns

Briefly News also reported that a football analyst explained why Miguel Cardoso could be sacked by Sundowns before the end of the ongoing 2025-26 season.

The Portuguese mentor has failed to replicate the work he did at the club last season this campaign, especially in the CAF Champions League.

Source: Briefly News