PSL chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza admits losing Moroka Swallows is 'very painful' as he praises Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi - 'The team has history more than Chiefs and Pirates'

Premier Soccer League chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza has acknowledged that losing Moroka Swallows in the league is a difficult reality to accept. 

The Birds' top-flight status was sold to Marumo Gallants before the commencement of the 2024/25 season.

This situation arose following a financial crisis experienced by the previous owners of the club, Panyaza Lesufi and David Mogashoa.

Consequently, Khoza, who owns Orlando Pirates, has emphasised that the anguish of losing Swallows is unquestionable. 

“Lesufi did a fantastic job of reviving Swallows. Because Swallows is one of the teams that has got history more than Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates,” Dr. Khoza said, per Sunday World. 

“It is a club that taught us what the meaning of branches is. And It is the team that taught us what is the meaning of putting a uniform and a blazer on match days. It taught us how to incorporate our clubs into a company.

“There are just so many unique things that we continue to do because of the Moroka Swallows. But that history disappeared just like that, painful, very painful," explained the veteran administrator. 

“So, we are hoping that somebody like Lesufi can come up to try their best to bring the club back to life. Unfortunately, Lesufi is conflicted now since he is a Premier and can’t get involved with Swallows anymore," he added. 

“But what he did is commendable. Because how many of us can do that? So, it’s a challenge that we’re having, and I unfortunately don’t have control of it.”

Lesufi and Mogashoa, along with other stakeholders, assisted Swallows in returning to the NFD for the 2019/20 season, leading the club to clinch the NFD title that year. 

However, in the next three seasons, the club's owners faced challenges in sustaining the team due to financial turmoil. Eventually, they had to sell the team to the owners of Gallants. 

At some point during the 2023/24 campaign, Swallows were fined R1 million for their absence in PSL matches against Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.

Lately, reports have emerged suggesting that Swallows legends, including Andries "Chaka Chaka" Mpondo, are considering the prospect of revitalising the club.

It is still uncertain whether those previous players will succeed in returning the Soweto giants to the top tier of South African football. 

Gallants will lock horns with Sundowns in a semi-final clash of Carling Knockout on Sunday, November 10.