Siwelele FC have parted ways with head coach Lehlohonolo Seema following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.
The decision comes hardly two days after Africa Daily predicted that heads could roll at five Betway Premiership clubs that had failed to register victories in their opening five league matches.
Seema’s departure was confirmed by Siwelele on Monday, 7 September, a day after the club suffered a 3-2 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at Dobsonville Stadium.
The former Bafana Bafana defender had guided Siwelele through five Betway Premiership matches this season, but failed to record a single victory. His team collected just two points from a possible 15, scoring five goals and conceding 10.
SEEMA’S FIVE MATCHES THIS SEASON
Seema’s record in the opening five league matches are a 2-2 against TS Galaxy on August 2, 1-0 loss away to Milford FC on August 12 August, a 2-0 loss to AmaZulu (August 15, away), and then 1-1 draw and 3-2 loss to Kaizer Chiefs on August 25 and September 6 respectively.
The run left Siwelele winless after five matches, with three defeats and two draws. The club dropped to 14th position with two points following the defeat to Chiefs.
Sunday’s match against Chiefs proved to be Seema’s final game in charge. Despite scoring twice, Siwelele could not hold on as Amakhosi secured a 3-2 victory.
Seema had been in charge of Siwelele since last season following the club’s acquisition of the status previously held by SuperSport United.
Seema’s assistant coach, Willem Jackson, has also been relieved of his first-team duties.
Siwelele chairman Calvin Le John said the decision was taken after the club assessed the disappointing start to the new campaign.
“Following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season, Siwelele FC has relieved Head Coach Lehlohonolo Seema and Assistant Coach Willem Jackson of their first-team duties while the club conducts a review of the senior team’s performance and technical programme,” the club said.
The club acknowledged that the results had fallen below expectations but insisted that it had not lost faith in the players or its long-term project.
“This has been a challenging period for the club, and our supporters deserve better than what they have seen so far this season,” Le John said.
“Our belief in this team, in our players and in what we are building at Siwelele remains unchanged.”
He called on everyone associated with the club to remain united during the difficult period.
“This is a moment to stand together, to work harder and to embody the spirit that defines this club: courage, unity and fighting for one another,” he said.
Former Siwelele player and club official Godfrey Mosoetsa has been appointed caretaker coach with immediate effect.
Mosoetsa will take charge while the club conducts its review of the senior team’s performances and technical programme.
His first major test will be a difficult away fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday, giving the caretaker coach little time to prepare the side for one of the toughest assignments in the Premiership.
Siwelele said a further announcement regarding the club’s coaching structure for the remainder of the season will be made once the review has been completed.
The club believes the season is still young enough to turn its fortunes around.
“Our season is still young. We will face the challenge in front of us together, as one team and one family,” the club said.
Siwelele concluded its message to supporters with the words: “Siwelele sa Masele. Together, we rise.”
Seema becomes the second Betway Premiership coach to lose his job this season, following the departure of Sekhukhune United coach Cedric Kaze last week.