As previously reported by FARPost this morning, Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants have officially confirmed the appointment of Ronnie Kanalelo as the club’s new head coach following the departure of Phuti Mohafe.
This comes after Bahlabane Ba Ntwa announced the departure of Mohafe on Wednesday, 9 September. The former Polokwane City FC coach parted ways with the club, along with his assistant, Musa Bilankulu.
Mohafe endured a challenging stint at Gallants, having joined the club ahead of the current campaign to replace Trevor Mathiane, who served as interim coach toward the end of last season.
Five games into the new season, Mohafe remained winless at the North West-based outfit, having managed two draws and three defeats in the league.
After struggling to replicate the impressive form he produced at Rise and Shine, the Abram Sello-owned side pulled the trigger, cutting ties with Mohafe after just three months at the helm.
RONNIE KANALELO TAKES OVER AT MARUMO GALLANTS
The former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper joins Bahlabane Ba Ntwa from Namibian outfit African Stars, where he was serving as head coach.
Kanalelo remained in South Africa following the weekend’s CAF Champions League assignment to finalise his move to Gallants. African Stars locked horns with Gabonese side AS Mangasport at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
He takes over the reins at Gallants for the remainder of the 2026/27 season, with his first official match set to be a clash against Orlando Pirates on Sunday, 20 September, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
WHAT MARUMO GALLANTS SAID IN THEIR OFFICIAL STATEMENT
“Marumo Gallants FC is pleased to announce the appointment of Filemon Ronny Kananelo as the Club’s new Head Coach,” reads the club’s official statement released on Monday evening.
“Kananelo brings extensive coaching and playing experience across Southern African football. A former professional goalkeeper, he enjoyed a successful playing career with Mamelodi Sundowns, where he won three league titles and several domestic trophies, before representing Namibia at the international level, earning 53 caps and featuring at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations.
“As a coach, Kananelo has worked extensively in Namibia and South Africa, including roles with UNAM FC, Black Africa FC, Bucks Buccaneers FC, African Stars FC, Maritzburg United and Bloemfontein Celtic. He also served as part of the Namibia national team technical staff across several major international tournaments, including the 2008, 2019 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
“Most recently, Kananelo guided African Stars FC to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. He holds a CAF A Licence and brings a coaching philosophy centred on discipline, tactical intelligence, and player development. He will lead Marumo Gallants for the remainder of the 2026/27 season, starting with the Club’s upcoming Betway Premiership fixture against Orlando Pirates.
“Marumo Gallants F.C. welcomes Coach Kananelo and looks forward to his contribution as the Club continues to compete and build for the future.”
As things stand, Gallants are placed at the bottom of the Betway Premiership table with two points after six outings.
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