Royal AM players resume training after businessman buys MaMkhize’s club! Royal AM players have returned to training following reports that a Durban businessman has won the bid to take over Shauwn Mkhize’s struggling club.
Roy Moodley Set to Take Over
The businessman in question has been identified by Sportswire as Roy Moodley, leader of the African Movement Congress and a close associate of former president Jacob Zuma.
Moodley’s acquisition of Royal AM comes after a bidding process involving several potential buyers. Among the interested parties were Mkhonto weSizwe MP David “Mazolman” Skhosana and a foreign investor linked to Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie. However, according to SABC Sport, Moodley emerged as the successful bidder.
Royal AM players resume training
Club’s Turbulent 2025 Season
The Pietermaritzburg-based club has been in turmoil since January, when it was revealed that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) had taken over the club due to MaMkhize’s R40 million tax debt. This financial crisis led to a halt in Royal AM’s activities, leaving the team without a single game played in 2025.
Their absence from the Betway Premiership has significantly impacted their league standing, as most teams have already played twice as many matches as them.
Now, with Moodley set to take ownership, the team is preparing to resume competition—pending approval from the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) executive committee.
Will the Club Stay in KwaZulu-Natal?
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the club’s new direction, reports suggest that Royal AM will remain in KwaZulu-Natal. However, it is unclear whether they will continue playing their home games at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg or relocate to Durban.
Moodley is expected to finalize plans once his ownership is formally approved by the PSL.
The Battle to Avoid Relegation
Royal AM currently sits at the bottom of the Betway Premiership standings, having collected just eight points from 11 matches. With the team at serious risk of relegation, Moodley has reportedly promised financial incentives to the players if they manage to secure their top-flight status.
The club also faces the challenge of catching up on postponed fixtures. The PSL will announce the revised schedule once they confirm the approval of Moodley’s takeover.
FIFA Transfer Ban Still in Place
Even with the club’s new ownership, Royal AM remains under a global FIFA transfer ban due to outstanding payments owed to Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic and Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento.
This means that the club will be unable to sign new players until these financial issues are resolved. With their relegation battle intensifying, the team will have to rely on their existing squad to turn things around.
A New Chapter for Royal AM?
The arrival of Roy Moodley as the new owner marks a pivotal moment for Royal AM. The club’s future has been in jeopardy for months, but with his backing, there is now hope for stability.
However, the road ahead remains uncertain. The team faces:
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PSL approval of the takeover
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A backlog of fixtures to catch up on
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A relegation battle
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A FIFA-imposed transfer ban
Moodley’s leadership and financial commitment will determine whether Royal AM can rebuild and survive in the top division—or face an inevitable fall to the lower leagues.
With the players now back in training, the next few weeks will be crucial for the club’s future.
