Royal AM’s participation in the Nedbank Cup hangs in the balance following their SARS suspension, potentially affecting the upcoming round of 16 draw. With R40 million in tax debt and uncertainty over their ability to complete the season, the PSL faces a predicament ahead of Wednesday’s crucial draw.
The Nedbank Cup last 32 fixture between Royal AM and Milford remains up in the air despite the competition’s round of 16 draw scheduled for Wednesday.
Set for 6pm in two days, the event will see the remaining teams in the tournament drawn against each other for the next round. At the current rate, however, the number of clubs involved in the draw will be set at 17, when the PSL pulls out the various club names from the pot.
🟢Royal AM Disaster
Milford FC have confirmed their #NedbankCup game against RAM has been postponed.
Milford in limbo. pic.twitter.com/NdIRe9qBu4
— Football SA (@SAFootClassics) January 26, 2025
Originally scheduled for Monday, Thwihli Thwahla’s clash with fellow KwaZulu-Natal outfit Milford, who ply their trade in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, remained suspended, with the only match on the night Sekhukhune hosting Cape Town City.
Last Wednesday, the PSL announced it had suspended all matches involving Royal AM until the KZN club presented their case to the league that Friday. As a result, matches against Orlando Pirates at the Harry Gwala Stadium last Thursday night and Monday’s night Nedbank Cup round of 32 clash were put on hold.
Royal AM are scheduled to play Gallants in a league encounter on Saturday.
They matches were cancelled after the club was placed under the curatorship of the Sars over Mkhize’s R40 million tax debt.
I feel for those Royal AM players, but I can't say the same about the team itself. That family made a mockery of our league.
Playing an unfit chairman.
Paying players live on TV…The writing was always on the wall. pic.twitter.com/s8UJkWXQhB
— I am a Makhathini (@_Mcebo_) January 24, 2025
Independent Media understands that the club are unable to successfully prove their readiness in completing the 2024/25 season, which has resulted in the temporary ban to remains in place.
According to sources, the club’s management held a major meeting, led by owner Shawn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize, at their Pietermaritzburg ranch on Monday before their clash against the Stallions was supposed to take place, with the outcome of that gathering yet to be established.
The club’s general manager, Richard Makhoba, could not be reached for comment but posted on his social media platform that “Royal AM are back in the PSL,” on Monday, heightening suggestions that the club had successfully found a solution to their financial problems.
It is understood that management will brief the rest of the staff, as well as the players, on Tuesday morning.
