Cape Town City FC prepare for more departures amid Serero, Mokotjo exits

Thulani Serero. Photo credit: Cape Town City FC.

With Thulani Serero and Kamohelo Mokotjo on their way out and former Orlando Pirates player Elson Sithole already gone, Cape Town City are gearing up for more player departures.

This is because the threat of relegation hangs heavy over Cape Town City, who sit at the bottom of the now 15-team Betway Premiership – following Royal AM's expulsion – forcing the Cape Town-based club to consider drastic actions.

Former Bafana Bafana duo Mokotjo and Serero, two experienced midfielders brought in to bolster the squad, are now expected to depart. Discussions are underway to terminate Mokotjo's two-year contract early, while Serero's short-term deal, signed with an extension option, will likely not be renewed.

The financial implications of potential relegation to the second tier, the Motsepe Foundation Championship, is a key driver behind these decisions by the club.

The substantial drop in league grants and the risk of losing sponsors like FNB necessitate a reduction in the wage bill, particularly for high-earning players like Mokotjo and Serero.

Adding to the exodus, goalkeeper Sithole, a former Orlando Pirates reserve, has already been deemed surplus to requirements and has left the club. Despite joining at the start of the season, he failed to break into the first team.

"Players like Mokotjo and Serero are on high salaries, and obviously playing in the second division means a smaller grant from the PSL," an insider revealed to Pan-Africa Football.

"Betway Premiership teams receive a monthly grant of approximately R2.6 million from the league, whereas second-tier division teams receive between R500,000 and R750,000. The club also risks losing their FNB sponsorship, which would mean less revenue."

With only two matches remaining in the league and the real possibility of facing the promotion/relegation play-offs, CT City's management is clearly preparing for a future that may involve second-tier football, necessitating a leaner and more financially sustainable squad.

They currently have 23 points from 26 games, trailing a cluster of teams above them by three points (who have 26 points).