The Betway Premiership silly season is officially in overdrive. In a shocking cross-province coaching switch, Phuti Mohafe has abruptly parted ways with Polokwane City to become the new head coach of top-flight rivals Marumo Gallants ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Mohafe’s departure is a massive bitter pill for Rise and Shine to swallow. He was widely praised for guiding Polokwane City to a brilliant seventh-place finish last season, comfortably securing them a spot in the upcoming, lucrative MTN8 tournament. Now, he jumps ship to lead a Gallants side that spent the entirety of last season flirting with disaster.
Out of the Relegation Mud: Gallants’ Bold Ambition
Marumo Gallants narrowly protected their Betway Premiership status on the final day of last season, scraping through in 14th place. By securing Mohafe, the club’s board is sending a clear message: they are completely done with fighting for survival.
In an official club statement, Gallants hailed Mohafe’s tactical acumen and local football intelligence:
“Marumo Gallants F.C. is pleased to announce the appointment of Phuti Mohafe as the Club’s new Head Coach. His track record of building highly competitive structures and developing local talent makes him the ideal leader to usher in a competitive new era.”
The Task Ahead: Pre-Season Race Against Time
Mohafe is expected to report to the training grounds immediately to spearhead Gallants’ pre-season program. His primary objective is clear—rebuild the squad’s defensive resilience and transform them from relegation survivors into a top-eight threat.
Meanwhile, his sudden exit leaves Polokwane City in complete disarray. With pre-season camps already underway across the country and an MTN8 quarter-final on the horizon, City’s management must move at lightning speed to find a worthy replacement to steer the ship.
