First coach to be fired in the season

Sekhukhune United’s Cedric Kaze has earned the unwanted distinction of being the first coach to lose his job this season, departing after his first seven games in charge.

Kaze, who hails from Burundi, lost four of his last five games, having been in charge for four matches in the Betway Premiership and three in the MTN8.

It is, however, far from the quickest dismissal at the start of a new campaign.

Two seasons ago, a new record was set when three coaches left their jobs during the pre-season before the opening games of the campaign.

German newcomer Peter Hyballa was kicked out at Sekhukhune, Dylan Kerr quit at Marumo Gallants during the pre-season, and Vusi Vilakazi was sacked at Richards Bay before their first game.

Before that, the record for the fastest dismissal in a season was set in 2008 when Free State Stars sent home new Ghanaian coach David Duncan before the league had even started.

He oversaw their pre-season training and one match in the MTN8 but was then removed before the first league game of the season.

That was matched in 2021 by Joe Zinnbauer, who departed after Orlando Pirates lost to Swallows in the MTN8 quarterfinal and before their first league game of the season.

Chippa United owner Siviwe Mpengesi is famed for his happy trigger finger, and four times previously he has been the first to fire a coach at the start of a new season.

But for those who suffer the unwanted and embarrassing fate, there can sometimes be a silver lining.

In both 2011 and 2012, it was Manqoba Mngqithi who had the unwanted distinction of being the first to lose his job in the season.

In 2012, he was sacked by Chippa United after just two league matches, and the season before, he was shown the door five games into the new league campaign by AmaZulu.

No one else has ever suffered that fate two seasons in a row, but Mngqithi bounced back to win multiple titles at Mamelodi Sundowns and is now in charge at Tanzanian giants Young Africans.

First to depart in a season (matches are league games)

2026-2027 season – Cedric Kaze (Sekhukhune United) – after four matches

2025-2026 season - Sinethemba Badela (Chippa United) – after two matches

2024-2025 season – Peter Hyballa (Sekhukhune United), Dylan Kerr (Marumo Gallants), Vusimuzi Vilakazi (Richards Bay) – before first game of season

2023-2024 season – Vusimuzi Vilakazi (Lamontville Golden Arrows) – after five games

2022-2023 season - Romain Folz (Marumo Gallants) – after six games

2021-2022 season – Joe Zinnbauer (Orlando Pirates) – before first game of season

2020-2021 season – Patrick Aussems (Black Leopards) – after three matches

2019-2020 season – Clinton Larsen (Chippa United), Cavin Johnson (AmaZulu), and Lionel Soccoia (Black Leopards) – after five matches

2018-2019 season – Dan Malesela (Chippa United) – after three matches

2017-2018 season – Sammy Troughton (Free State Stars) – after two matches

2016-2017 season – Denis Lavagne (Free State Stars) – after three matches

2015-2016 season – Kinnah Phiri (Free State Stars) – after three matches

2014-2015 season – Cavin Johnson (SuperSport United) – after four matches

2013-2014 season – Duncan Lechesa (Polokwane City) – after four matches

2012-2013 season - Manqoba Mngqithi (Chippa United) – after two matches

2011-2012 season – Manqoba Mngqithi (AmaZulu) – after five matches

2010-2011 season – Savvas Agiomamitis (Mpumalanga Black Aces) – after three matches

2009-2010 season – Themba Sithole (Free State Stars) – after seven matches

2008-2009 season – David Duncan (Free State Stars) – before the first game of the season

2007-2008 season – Kalambay ‘Bibey’ Mutombo (Orlando Pirates) – after four matches

2006-2007 season – Kalambay ‘Bibey’ Mutombo (Black Leopards) – after 10 matches

2005-2006 season – Jean-Yves Kerjean (Black Leopards) – after one match

2004-2005 season – Anteneh Eshete (Dynamos) – after one match

2003-2004 season – Walter Rautmann (Black Leopards), Jacob Sakala (Dynamos), Khabo Zondo (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Steve Komphela (Manning Rangers) – after six matches

2002-2003 season – Johnny Ferreira (African Wanderers) – after three matches

2001-2002 season – Kenny Ndlazi (Ria Stars) – after one match

2000-2001 season – Viktor Bondarenko (Umtata Bush Bucks) – after four matches

1999-2000 season – Mario Tuani (African Wanderers) and Jan Lechaba (Umtata Bush Bucks) – after three matches

1998-1999 season – Kolio Markov (Dynamos) – after two matches

1997-1998 season – Duncan Crowie (Santos) – after two matches

1996-1997 season – Jeff Butler (Kaizer Chiefs) – after four matches.