Jomo Biyela talks advantages of being a football-knowledgeable club owner

Richards Bay FC chairman Sfiso ‘Jomo’ Biyela has elaborated on the advantages of being a football club owner with a deep understanding of the game.

The buying and selling of club statuses in the PSL has made it relatively easy for anyone with the financial means to own a professional football club.

Throughout the years, South Africa’s football industry has witnessed clubs being taken over by individuals who, despite having financial resources, often lack the expertise necessary to effectively manage and lead the organisation towards success.

Biyela has a long-standing presence in football, having served as CEO of Thanda Royal Zulu. Prior to that, he was, for a long time, actively involved in sports, managing various football-related projects for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation.

Following the 2017 sale of Thanda Royal Zulu to AmaZulu FC, Biyela acquired Usuthu’s second-tier status, rebranding the team as Richards Bay FC. He subsequently led the club to top-flight promotion in 2022.

In an exclusive interview with this website, Biyela acknowledged that his extensive knowledge of football has frequently led to positive outcomes in his decision-making.

While he noted that his primary focus is on the administration side, he believes that his understanding of the game is crucial for recruiting the right players. And he believes it helps him grasp the evolution of football.

JOMO BIYELA ON THE POWER OF FOOTBALL KNOWLEDGE FOR CLUB OWNERS

“It really helps [being football-minded] but at the same time we must also understand that our role is more of administration and support structure for the technical team,” said Biyela in an interview with FARPost.

“You knowing football doesn’t mean that you must have temptations to coach because it can create unnecessary conflicts.

“It helps in terms of knowing who are the players we can sign and whether they will add value to the club.

“It also helps in terms of networking with our counterparts. Even in terms of player behaviour, you know how to deal with that and to run the club well in general.

“But I think another thing that helps, if you are in this space, it helps you understand which direction football is taking now.”

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