Is it calm before the storm for Pfumbidzai? Ronald Pfumbidzai

RONALD Pfumbidzai and his Bloemfontein Celtic teammates arrived at their new home in Pietermaritzburg on Monday after the South African PSL confirmed the sale of the club’s franchise.

The Zimbabwe international took to social media to reveal that one chapter had been closed and another one opened.

“We started with hello, created some beautiful memories, now we have to say goodbye, life is unpredictable,’’ he posted on Twitter. 

‘‘I will always remember you no matter where I go.’’

He attached footage of a game he scored a memorable goal for Celtic.

But, it appears storm clouds are gathering for Pfumbidzai and his teammates at a club now owned by wealthy businesswoman, Shauwn Mkhize.

She has a reality show on Mzansi Magic, titled ‘‘Kwa Mam’Mkhize,’’ and took the initials of her son, Andile Mpisane, to use as part of the identity of her club, Royal AM.

At the age of just 19, last year, Mpisane was handed the role of chairman of the club, becoming the youngest leader of a top South African football side.

In February, this year, Mpisane, who is also a musician signed to the family’s Royal AM Entertainment label, became the latest member of the club’s playing squad.

He made his debut, a month later, in the 3-1 win over Uthongathi, after having chosen the iconic number 10 jersey, which has been associated with some of the world’s greatest footballers.

However, according to the South African media reports, the mother and son, whose family business ranges from entertainment, construction, property investment and, now football club ownership, are a controversial lot.

The businesswomen has been involved in battles with the South African Revenue Service, which resulted in her having to pay at least R16 million for outstanding personal income taxes.

She is the daughter of late anti-apartheid activist Florence Mkhize, whose family amassed a lot of fortune through building thousands of low-cost houses around Durban. 

Both John Maduka and Serame Moeketsi will remain in charge of the team at the moment.

However, according to The Citizen newspaper, there are reports of discontent, within the Royal AM squad.

“The players are unhappy with a few things, the top thing is that they didn’t know they’d have to live at the club’s clubhouse, which is in an area with bad cellphone reception, and this means they can’t even communicate with their loved ones,’’ the newspaper reported yesterday.

“You must remember some of them had to leave their families alone, in Bloemfontein, so it is stressful for them.’’

The newspaper claimed their sources told them the players were forced to share rooms, with four players sharing a single room.

They were also ordered to play a ‘‘friendly’’ against the Royal AM players as some form of a trial.    

“I mean what do you (put on) trial (Ndumiso) Mabena and (Jackson) Mabokgwane for? Any coach, or official, should know what most of those players can do already,’’ the newspaper’s sources said. 

“Some have indicated that they would rather be released so they can go and try their luck elsewhere. 

“Apparently, they will also have to take pay cuts and that has made things tense. 

‘‘Just imagine how relieved they must have felt when they thought their days of being paid half salaries, or going without payment, were over, only to come to this?” – Sports Reporter/KickOff.com/The Citizen.

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