Motsepe Foundation Championship Off-Season | Early June 2026
The University of Pretoria F.C. confirmed this week that head coach Kwanele Kopo has left the club by mutual agreement, with immediate effect. The departure opens the search for a new permanent head coach with pre-season closing in, and ends a partnership that had been one of the steadier marriages at this level of the South African game. CEO Kenneth Neluvhalani thanked Kopo on behalf of the club, and Kopo offered his appreciation in return — a quiet exit, without the noise that has accompanied other coaching departures at this end of the table this off-season.
The statements
Neluvhalani’s wording was brief and warm: “We are grateful for his service and the knowledge imparted on our players and staff.” Kopo replied in kind — “I am thankful for the opportunity afforded to me by the club. I will always appreciate the time spent here.” The official statement described the parting as mutual, with immediate effect, and did not name an interim coach. The release is the only piece of public information from either side; both parties elected not to expand on the reasoning.
What it leaves behind
AmaTuks finished the Motsepe Foundation Championship season in mid-table — a respectable position for a club whose squad and resources are not what most of their rivals can put on the field. Mamelodi Sundowns winger Luvuyo Phewa is at the club on a second loan spell, and his status is one of the operational questions the next head coach will inherit. Recruitment for the new season had not been visibly active before the Kopo departure, and a new technical voice will now drive whatever shape the off-season takes.
Who comes next
The club has not signalled a shortlist publicly, and the pre-season calendar puts pressure on a quick appointment. AmaTuks tend to look inside the South African coaching network for these decisions, and the Tshwane footprint of the club — with the Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United academies a short drive away — means there is no shortage of candidates within reach. The appointment is the most important call the executive will make this summer.
