Royal AM F.C.

Royal AM Football Club, also commonly referred to as Thwihli Thwahla, was a South African professional soccer club based in Pietermaritzburg that played in the Premiership.

Royal AM F.C.

Full name	Royal AM Football Club
Nickname(s)	Thwihli Thwahla
Ground	Harry Gwala Stadium
Capacity	12,000
Owner	Shauwn Mkhize
Chairman	Andile Mpisane[1]
Manager	John Maduka
League	Premiership
2024–25	16th (expelled)
Website	www.royalam.co.za
colours colours colours

History

Originally, the club was called Kings United, before changing its name to Real Kings.^[2]

In 2019, Shauwn Mkhize and her son Andile Mpisane purchased Real Kings, renaming it Royal AM.^[3]

They bought their right to play in the top tier after purchasing the Premiership license from Bloemfontein Celtic in August 2021.^[4][5]

The club received a transfer ban from FIFA effective 3 July 2023 after unlawfully terminating the contract of Samir Nurković and failing to pay the outstanding amount of R12 million.^[6]

Sponsorship controversy

In August 2023, the heavily-indebted Msunduzi Local Municipality stated that it was going ahead with a R27 million three-year sponsorship of Royal AM.^[7][8]

Financial problems

In January 2025, the South African Revenue Service issued a preservation order against the club over unpaid tax debts by owner Shauwn Mkhize. In addition, players did not receive their December 2024 salaries, and the club's upcoming fixtures were postponed by the league's governing body, the Premier Soccer League (PSL).^[9][10] In March 2025 SARS put the club up for auction.^[11]

In April 2025, the PSL's Board of Governors, consisting of the 15 Premiership teams (excluding Royal AM), and 16 National First Division teams, voted to expel Royal AM from the league.^[12]

Current squad

As of 16 August 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 2 MF  RSA Siphesile Msomi 5 MF  RSA Jeffrey Dlamini 6 MF  RSA Shadrack Kobedi 8 FW  RSA Jabulani Ncobeni 9 FW  RSA Mxolisi Macuphu 12 MF  RSA Kabelo Mahlasela 13 DF  RSA Lesego Manganyi 14 DF  RSA Thabo Matlaba 16 GK  CMR Hugo Nyamé 17 FW  RSA Shaune Mogaila 18 FW  RSA Sanele Radebe 19 DF  RSA Sello Matjila 21 FW  GHA Godfred Nyarko 24 DF  RSA Thato Lingwati 25 GK  RSA Mondli Mpoto

No. Pos. Nation Player 26 MF  RSA Sbusiso Magaqa 28 DF  RSA Sikhethele Mabuza 29 DF  RSA Mlungisi Sikakane 30 FW  RSA Ruzaigh Gamildien 31 DF  RSA Ayanda Jiyane 33 FW  LES Sera Motebang 34 MF  RSA Mfundo Thikazi 38 FW  RSA Levy Mashiane 40 DF  RSA Philani Cele 43 MF  RSA Shane Roberts 44 DF  RSA Sabelo Sithole 45 FW  RSA Sedwyn George 46 MF  RSA Moffat Mdluli 77 MF  RSA Hopewell Cele

Honours

• SAFA Second Division Kwazulu Natal Stream: 2015–16^{[nb 1]}
• Macufe Cup
  • Winners: 2022

Notes

1. The league was known as the ABC Motsepe League at the time due to sponsorship reasons.

League record

SAFA Second Division (KwaZulu-Natal Stream)

• 2015–16 – 1st

National First Division

• 2016–17 – 11th
• 2017–18 – 4th
• 2018–19 – 12th
• 2019–20 – 4th
• 2020–21 – 2nd

Premiership

• 2021–22 – 3rd
• 2022–23 – 11th
• 2023–24 – 13th
• 2024–25 – 16th (expelled)