Baroka FC Relegated to Third Division as Chairman Questions Coach Motaung's Future

Key facts

• Baroka FC lost 3-0 to Kruger United on Sunday, confirming relegation to the ABC Motsepe League.
• The club finished bottom of the Motsepe Foundation Championship with 19 points after 26 matches.
• Chairman Khurishi Mphahlele said he cannot guarantee coach Tlisane Motaung's future, as 'coaches come and go'.
• Motaung was appointed in October last year to replace Dan Malesela with the mandate to avoid relegation.
• Baroka trailed 14th-placed Midlands Wanderers by nine points with four matches remaining.
• Kruger United moved within two points of automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership.
• Mphahlele revealed he personally paid the technical team's salaries from his own pocket.

Relegation Confirmed After Heavy Defeat

Baroka FC's fate was sealed on Sunday with a 3-0 loss to league leaders Kruger United at Mafori Mphahlele Stadium. Thobela Sikhakhane opened the scoring in the seventh minute, and Baroka were reduced to ten men before the 30th minute. Kruger doubled their lead in the 62nd minute, and former AmaZulu FC midfielder Celimpilo Ngema made it 3-0 two minutes later, ending any hope of survival. The defeat left Baroka rooted to the bottom of the Motsepe Foundation Championship with 19 points, nine points adrift of 14th-placed Midlands Wanderers. With only three matches remaining at the time, the club could not close the gap and was officially relegated last Sunday.

Motaung's Appointment and Failed Rescue Mission

Tlisane Motaung was appointed as head coach in October last year, replacing Dan Malesela with a clear mandate to save the club from relegation. The former University of Pretoria mentor took over a side already struggling, but despite his efforts, the team could not turn its fortunes around. Motaung had urged his players to treat remaining fixtures as cup finals, acknowledging the daunting task ahead. 'We have to fight and try and get the three points in the remaining games to get out of trouble,' he said before the Kruger match. 'We still have belief, we are going to keep on fighting.' However, the team's 1-1 draw with Gomora United on Wednesday and the subsequent loss to Kruger proved insurmountable.

Chairman Mphahlele on Coach and Player Futures

Baroka chairman Khurishi Mphahlele addressed the future of Motaung and the squad, emphasizing that no one is guaranteed to stay. 'These are human beings, it's not machines that I would say I'm going to keep them, if they want to move, they can move, they are free to move,' Mphahlele told the Siya crew. 'We can't say we're going to keep anybody, even if we had survived relegation, we can't guarantee that we will keep everybody.' Mphahlele also discussed the financial implications of dropping out of professional ranks. He revealed that he had been paying the technical team's salaries from his own pocket, as league funds covered only travel and match expenses. 'I'm not sure if I'm going to afford them, because I was paying them from my pocket anyway,' he said. 'The money that we were getting from the league was merely for travelling, it was enough for travelling, fulfilling the matches.'

Financial Realities of Life in the Third Division

Relegation to the ABC Motsepe League, South Africa's third tier, will drastically reduce Baroka's operational costs. Mphahlele noted that the club will no longer need to travel to cities like Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, limiting travel to within Limpopo province. This geographic contraction may ease some financial burden, but the loss of league funding and sponsorship revenue poses significant challenges. The chairman's personal funding of salaries underscores the precarious financial state of the club. Without the Motsepe Foundation Championship's travel subsidies, Baroka will need to restructure its budget entirely. Mphahlele's comments suggest that retaining current staff, including Motaung, will depend on affordability and mutual willingness.

Kruger United's Promotion Push and League Context

Kruger United's victory over Baroka moved them closer to automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership. The table-toppers now need just two points from their final three games to secure their spot in the top flight. They lead second-placed Hungry Lions by five points after Hungry Lions lost 2-1 to Gomora United. In other matches, Milford jumped into second place with a 1-0 win over Black Leopards, while Cape Town City dropped out of the promotion playoff spots after a goalless draw with the Bees. The Motsepe Foundation Championship standings show a tight race for promotion, with Milford and Hungry Lions tied on 47 points, followed by Cape Town City with 45.

What Lies Ahead for Baroka FC

Baroka now faces the challenge of rebuilding in the ABC Motsepe League, a regional semi-professional division. The club must decide on its coaching staff and playing squad, with Motaung's future uncertain. Mphahlele's open-ended stance leaves the door open for Motaung to depart or stay, but the financial constraints may force difficult choices. The club's relegation also highlights broader issues in South African football, particularly for smaller clubs in Limpopo. Mphahlele's admission that he personally funded salaries points to systemic financial vulnerabilities. Baroka's ability to bounce back will depend on retaining key players, securing local sponsorship, and navigating the competitive third division.

A Cautionary Tale for South African Football

Baroka's fall from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the third division serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of football clubs outside the top flight. The club's reliance on a single benefactor for salaries and its inability to compete financially with promotion-chasing teams like Kruger United underscore the structural inequalities in the sport. As Baroka prepares for life in the ABC Motsepe League, the club's experience may prompt broader discussions about financial sustainability and support for smaller clubs. For now, the focus is on survival and rebuilding, with Mphahlele's pragmatic approach setting the tone for the uncertain road ahead.

The bottom line

• Baroka FC has been relegated to the ABC Motsepe League after finishing bottom of the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
• Chairman Khurishi Mphahlele has not guaranteed coach Tlisane Motaung's future, stating that all staff are free to leave.
• Mphahlele personally paid the technical team's salaries, highlighting the club's financial strain.
• Relegation reduces travel costs as the club will now only play within Limpopo province.
• Kruger United is on the verge of promotion to the Betway Premiership, needing two points from three games.
• Baroka's relegation underscores financial challenges faced by smaller South African football clubs.