Thanda Royal Zulu F.C.

Thanda Royal Zulu was a South African football club based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

Thanda Royal Zulu

Full name	Thanda Royal Zulu Football Club
Nickname(s)	Amabhubesi (The Lions)
Short name	TRZ
Founded	2007, renamed Benoni Premier United
Dissolved	2017
Ground	Richards Bay Stadium, Richards Bay
Capacity	8,000
2016–17	National First Division, 1st
Home colours Away colours

History

The club started after a Swedish consortium that included Sven-Goran Eriksson bought the franchise from Benoni Premier United at the end of the 2006–07 season. The new owners moved the franchise from Benoni to KwaZulu-Natal.^[1]

They played their home games at Richards Bay Stadium in Richards Bay having previously played their home games at the Hammarsdale Stadium in Hammarsdale.

In 2010 the club moved its headquarters from Durban to Richards Bay.

The club's nickname Amabhubesi was Zulu for Lions while Thanda means love.

The club won the 2016–17 National First Division. However, their franchise, and promotion to the 2017–18 Premiership was sold to fifth-placed Amazulu.^[2]

League record

Premiership

• 2007–08 – 14th
• 2008–09 – 15th (relegated)

National First Division

• 2009–10 – 5th (Coastal Stream)
• 2010–11 – 2nd (Coastal Stream)
• 2011–12 – 3rd
• 2012–13 – 4th
• 2013–14 – 11th
• 2014–15 – 4th
• 2015–16 – 14th
• 2016–17 – 1st

Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer

• Shirt sponsor: Bell Equipment
• Kit manufacturer: Joma

Franchise history

Period	Name	Location
1958–2004	Hellenic FC	Cape Town
2004–2007	Premier United Football Club	Benoni
2007–2017	Thanda Royal Zulu FC	Durban / Mpumalanga / Richards Bay