Royal AM (also known as "Thwihli Thwahla") is a South African football club based in Pietermaritzburg that plays in the Premiership.
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| 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 | |||
| 2023–24 | 13th | |||
| Website | www.royalam.co.za | |||
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History
editOriginally, 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 Nurkovic and failing to pay the outstanding amount of R12 million.[6]
Sponsorship
editIn August 2023, the Msunduzi Local Municipality stated that it was going ahead with a R27 million sponsorship of Royal AM.[7]
Current squad
edit- As of 16 August 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Honours
edit- SAFA Second Division Kwazulu Natal Stream: 2015–16[nb 1]
- Macufe Cup
- Winners: 2022
- Notes
- ^ The league was known as the ABC Motsepe League at the time due to sponsorship reasons.
League record
editSAFA Second Division (KwaZulu-Natal Stream)
edit- 2015–16 – 1st
References
edit- ^ Vedan, Eshlin. "Royal AM chairman Andile Mpisane must stick to Gucci and leave the football to the pros". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Real Kings FC: proudly representing KZN". psl.co.za. 23 August 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Royal AM FC". www.royalam.co.za. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ Sibembe, Yanga (17 August 2021). "SOCCER: Royal AM finally make it into the Premiership after PSL confirms Bloem Celtic purchase". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "OFFICIAL | PSL confirm Bloemfontein Celtic sale, club to be renamed Royal AM". Kick Off. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Royal AM face FIFA ban following Samir Nurkovic request | soccer". www.sabcsport.com. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ Maliti, Soyiso. "Msunduzi has 27 days' cash, owes Eskom and Umgeni Water - but insists on R27m Royal AM sponsorship deal". News24. Retrieved 2 September 2023.