It has literally taken 35 months for Marumo Gallants to destroy the 99-year legacy created by Wits University [Bidvest Wits]. Wits, founded in 1921, were sold to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila [TTM] in June 2020. They would have turned 102 this year.
The then-owners shocked the football fraternity when they announced the sale of the status to the Black Gold Family Trust led by Lawrence Mulaudzi. A deal was approved by the PSL a few months before their centenary.
But more importantly, it did not and has never made sense why the club was sold to Mr Mulaudzi in particular. Those who were fond of the project have argued that efforts could have been made to let the club remain in Johannesburg.
LAWRENCE MULAUDZI ERA
It took seven months before Mulaudzi sold the status to current owner Abram Sello who renamed the club Marumo Gallants. But it is worth noting that since the club was sold by Wits, it has been marred with controversy after controversy. One would be forgiven to suggest that it’s a curse.
In their first-ever official match in the post-Wits era, the club [TTM] had only 13 players on the team sheet. Two on the bench, a goalkeeper and an injured player. This was during an MTN8 quarterfinal match against SuperSport United at Thohoyandou Stadium on 13 October 2020.
The public feud with Oupa Manyisa and his camp after signing him only to release him before kicking a ball is also worth noting.
A few weeks after that, there were issues of unpaid salaries resulting in player protests. This happened on more than one occasion until Mulaudzi decided to sell.
THEN ENTERS ABRAM SELLO
When the then-unknown University of Limpopo lecturer Abram Sello bought the status from Mulaudzi, there was hope. The only information known about him was his time as owner of Limpopo ABC Motsepe League side Ollesdas FC.
He had bought the franchise from Baroka FC owner Khurishi Mphahlele, who used it as a feeder team.
After three seasons of failing to secure promotion to the PSL, Sello sold the SAFA status to Tubatse United, based in Burgersfort, Limpopo.
He then opted to fork out R40 million to buy the TTM status. A status that two years later would be reduced to the value of between R 12-15 million.
MARUMO GALLANTS CONTROVERSIES IN THE DSTV PREMIERSHIP
Sello’s era has also been nothing short of public embarrassment and controversy.
For me, the first sign came when the club launched its first-ever supporters’ branch in an area called Bram Fischerville, Gauteng.
A team that comes from, trains and plays home matches in Limpopo to launch a first branch in Gauteng? It was an obvious sign that we should brace ourselves for another TTM era, or even worse.
During the 2021/22 pre-season, the club was again presented with an opportunity to introduce themselves to their home base and mobilise support in Limpopo. But no, they went to Sandton to unveil a new name and new signings.
Up until this day, no one knows where Marumo Gallants are from here in Limpopo, so the 50-100 fans per match at Peter Mokaba Stadium was also their own doing.
DRAMA FOLLOWED BY MORE DRAMA
Their existence in the top flight has been filled with drama after drama. Who remembers that embarrassing incident when then newly signed Siphelele Ntshangase was forced to be removed from the starting lineup before his debut against Royal AM because the club had allocated him jersey number 100, which is against the PSL rules?
Receiving an R500 000 fine from the PSL for failing to travel with an alternative kit for their match against AmaZulu. Players refusing to train before two crucial Cup finals. This happened during the 2022 Nedbank Cup against Sundowns and the CAF Confederation Cup semifinal against Yanga SC due to bonus issues. Reducing the salaries of almost all players by half because they realise later that they can’t fulfil their obligations.
Using two officials as bait during the hostage drama in Libya and the fallouts resulting in them relocating to North West, then Mangaung and again back to Polokwane. As it stands, Marumo Gallants have 23 players whose contracts are running out in June 23! It can’t be normal for a club that has a vision and wants to be taken seriously.
Surely, everyone involved will admit that I did not make up all these incidents. But they have had a negative impact which only doesn’t affect the club but the PSL.
A BIDVEST WITS CURSE?
It’s either there’s a lack of knowledge of running a professional club, or it’s the Bidvest Wits curse at play.
One wishes the club the best of luck in their pursuit to return to the Premiership. It will also be interesting for the club to clarify their home base sooner. Whether they are a Limpopo, North West or a Free State club.
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