FORMER Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has become the first coaching casualty of the 2026/2027 Premier Soccer League season after Sekhukhune United gave him his marching orders on Wednesday.
It is not clear what may have caused panic for the Sekhukhune management four games into the new season since the Limpopo side is currently eighth on the log with six points after four league games.
The only mentally sound explanation for Sekhukhune to press the panic button on Kaze, is the consecutive three-match pummelling they have recently been served by league Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates.
They suffered a 1-0 loss in the MTN8 semi-final first leg, 2-0 in the league encounter and a 3-0 drubbing in the MTN8 semi-final second leg.
Appointed with high expectations to push the Polokwane-based side into top-four contention, Kaze initially enjoyed a bright start to the campaign, picking up six valuable points from his opening two Betway Premiership fixtures.
In a brief statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Sekhukhune confirmed that they had terminated Kaze’s contract with immediate effect, citing a mutual parting of ways.
While the management expressed gratitude for his professionalism during his short tenure, the rapid execution highlighted the board’s zero-tolerance policy for extended slumping form.
Assistant coach Papi Zothwane has been handed the reins on an interim basis to stabilize the dressing room ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
For Kaze, whose tactical reputation soared during his stint alongside Nasreddine Nabi at Naturena, this brief and unforgiving stint serves as a stark reminder of the PSL’s pressure cooker — where three bad results against a giant can end a tenure in an instant.
@iol.sport
🇿🇦 PITSO MOSIMANE IS BACK AT THE HELM! 🇿🇦 SAFA top management has officially unveiled Pitso Mosimane as the new head coach of Bafana Bafana at SAFA House! ⚽🔥 Returning with years of continental glory under his belt, a confident Mosimane made it clear that he steps into the role as a battle-tested master tactician—not a novice. With an ambitious roadmap set through 2030, the mission is crystal clear. 🎯 Key Targets (2026–2030): • FIFA World Cup qualification • Deep AFCON progression • Winning the African Nations League Can Coach Pitso lead South Africa back to the peak of African football? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 👇 🎥: Mihlali Baleka / IOL #BafanaBafana #PitsoMosimane #SAFA #IOLSport #SouthAfrica #AFCON #WorldCup #AfricanFootball
♬ original sound – IOL Sport
Here is the list early season departures as captrued by supersport.com:
First to depart in a season (matches are league games)
2026-2027 season – Cedric Kaze (Sekhukhune United) – after four matches
2025-2026 season – Sinethemba Badela (Chippa United) – after two matches
2024-2025 season – Peter Hyballa (Sekhukhune United), Dylan Kerr (Marumo Gallants), Vusimuzi Vilakazi (Richards Bay) – before first game of season
2023-2024 season – Vusimuzi Vilakazi (Lamontville Golden Arrows) – after five games
2022-2023 season – Romain Folz (Marumo Gallants) – after six games
2021-2022 season – Joe Zinnbauer (Orlando Pirates) – before first game of season
2020-2021 season – Patrick Aussems (Black Leopards) – after three matches
2019-2020 season – Clinton Larsen (Chippa United), Cavin Johnson (AmaZulu), and Lionel Soccoia (Black Leopards) – after five matches
2018-2019 season – Dan Malesela (Chippa United) – after three matches
2017-2018 season – Sammy Troughton (Free State Stars) – after two matches
2016-2017 season – Denis Lavagne (Free State Stars) – after three matches
2015-2016 season – Kinnah Phiri (Free State Stars) – after three matches
2014-2015 season – Cavin Johnson (SuperSport United) – after four matches
2013-2014 season – Duncan Lechesa (Polokwane City) – after four matches
2012-2013 season – Manqoba Mngqithi (Chippa United) – after two matches
2011-2012 season – Manqoba Mngqithi (AmaZulu) – after five matches
2010-2011 season – Savvas Agiomamitis (Mpumalanga Black Aces) – after three matches
2009-2010 season – Themba Sithole (Free State Stars) – after seven matches
2008-2009 season – David Duncan (Free State Stars) – before the first game of the season
2007-2008 season – Kalambay ‘Bibey’ Mutombo (Orlando Pirates) – after four matches
2006-2007 season – Kalambay ‘Bibey’ Mutombo (Black Leopards) – after 10 matches
2005-2006 season – Jean-Yves Kerjean (Black Leopards) – after one match
2004-2005 season – Anteneh Eshete (Dynamos) – after one match
2003-2004 season – Walter Rautmann (Black Leopards), Jacob Sakala (Dynamos), Khabo Zondo (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Steve Komphela (Manning Rangers) – after six matches
2002-2003 season – Johnny Ferreira (African Wanderers) – after three matches
2001-2002 season – Kenny Ndlazi (Ria Stars) – after one match
2000-2001 season – Viktor Bondarenko (Umtata Bush Bucks) – after four matches
1999-2000 season – Mario Tuani (African Wanderers) and Jan Lechaba (Umtata Bush Bucks) – after three matches
1998-1999 season – Kolio Markov (Dynamos) – after two matches
1997-1998 season – Duncan Crowie (Santos) – after two matches
1996-1997 season – Jeff Butler (Kaizer Chiefs) – after four matches.
