With the curtain having closed on the 2023/24 season, it's time for a change for the various PSL clubs, both in their technical teams and playing personnel. Sekhukhune United will be no exception. The ambitious side could be one of the DStv Premiership clubs considering changes to their technical team, as head coach Lehlohonolo Seema's future hangs in the balance. Sekhukhune United finished the campaign with MacDonald Makhubedu in charge on an interim basis alongside Paulus Masehe. Seema is currently suspended for what has been termed alleged misconduct, though there has been no official word from the club or the coach about it. Under Seema, Sekhukhune appeared to be on course to finish among the top five teams, before he was placed on 'Special Leave' by the club. But what really happened? The Siya crew investigate.
What The Siya Crew Has Been Told…
What really happened
The season might have just ended but Lehlohonolo Seema is fired up and looking forward to the next campaign, despite being placed on 'special leave' by Sekhukhune United. While waiting for the finalisation of his contractual matter at Sekhukhune United, the former Lesotho international is understood to have options available for him, with potential suitors believed to be monitoring his situation closely.
There has been no official word from either the former Orlando Pirates captain's camp or Babina Noko regarding the future, although indications are that there could be a possibility of settlement talks as parties are working around the clock to reach an agreement. According to sources close to the ex-Lesotho international defender, the 43-year-old is in high spirits and looking forward to returning to the dugout irrespective of the outcome in the talks about his current employment.
Chippa United is one of the clubs understood to be interested in his services, in what could be a happy return to a club where he previously saved the side from relegation. Royal AM and Moroka Swallows are among other clubs understood to be monitoring Seema's situation closely. However, everything relating to the coach's future at this point will depend on the contractual matter with Sekhukhune United.
What's the story?
On Monday, 13 May 2024, Seema walked into Sekhukhune United's headquarters in Bedfordview, Gauteng for a scheduled meeting with his employers but what was later to happen that afternoon had no one saw it coming, sources said. Soon after the meeting started between the coach and the club CEO, Jonas Malatji, all hell broke loose according to informants, as tempers flared, while alleged accusations were made much to the dismay of Malatji – who is also the club's coowner.
"Lehlohonolo Seema has been suspended because of misconduct and there is nothing else and he also knows this," said a well-placed source.
"I have heard people talking about the coach allegedly being mistreated and things like that because he was doing well with the team and getting the results, but there is no such. He was sent on special leave not because of the results but for misconduct," the source said.
Another source added, "The team has been doing well, and everybody has been pleased with the results. Everyone has been happy for the coach and his technical team, players and the entire club because all of this has been achieved through collective effort.
"What the coach might have forgotten was that at Sekhukhune United it is all about teamwork and that's what drives the success of the team. Nobody does his own thing in the team, and it's been like that since the club's inception," the source added.
Why the suspension?
According to several sources privy to the latest developments at Babina Noko, like anyone doing well in their respective professions, the mentor felt that he qualified for his contract to be re-evaluated. However, the way the message was communicated doesn't seem to have sat well with the management, as per insiders.
"During the meeting with the CEO, the coach did the unthinkable by raising his voice and started asking too many questions about his contract. It was so unexpected because the contract has been there all along, since it all started between the parties," one of the sources said.
"It sounded like he didn't understand some of the clauses in his own contract. When asked about this, he kept referring to his representative that she is the one with all the details, and unfortunately the agent wasn't present in the meeting," said the source.
"What got the CEO upset was that he felt he was being questioned more than necessary, which insinuated that there might have been allegations of tampering with the contract in the process," he added.
"As the discussions went on, the club felt it was important that he (Seema) was showed the contract and taken through it step by step. He raised the issue of a signing-on fee which was never in the contract. He also spoke about accommodation. What I know is that the club's bosses are responsible human beings, who are understanding and caring about their employees. I have no doubt that they would have listened to him and met him halfway in his expectations had that been done correctly. The season was coming to an end, and he could have waited to raise his concerns at an appropriate time during the planning for the new season. Leaving the meeting before it ended crowned it all," concluded the informant.
While what has been said here is the version of sources that the Siya crew spoke to during the investigation, the club and the coach might have their own versions although since the suspension they have decided to deal with it internally.
What Are The Facts?
Seema rates among the best coaches to have been involved in the league in the 2023/24 campaign. In the 16 matches he has overseen for Babina Noko in the DStv Premiership, Seema guided the side to seven victories, seven draws, and only two losses. The team enjoyed their best run between February and March, winning five matches in a row.
This streak earned him the Coach of the Month accolade for February/March. Babina Noko was in fourth place on the standings at the time of the coach's suspension and appeared to be on course to finish in their highest ever position in the topflight. Earlier in the season, Seema was with Polokwane City where he worked alongside the club's promotion-winning coach, Duncan Lechesa, and the two did well together.
When Lechesa left Rise and Shine, Seema continued solo in the role leading the team, and his work was commendable, which might explain why his exit in November came as a big surprise in the fraternity. When he left, Polokwane were sixth on the table, having won four, drawn five and lost only three in their opening 12 matches.
Following Seema's resignation, the Limpopo-based side has not been the same on the field, with inconsistency being evident in the team's performances and results on their way to finishing eight on the log.
In total, Seema has seen only five losses overall in 28 matches at the respective two teams and is ranking among the top coaches in the league in that department behind the league-winning Rulani Mokwena of Mamelodi Sundowns whose side didn't lose a single match.
The Story Behind The Scenes
Sekhukhune in hunt for a new coach?
As things stand, it is unlikely that Seema and Sekhukhune will smoke the piece pipe, and as a result, indications are that the club might have already started looking for a new coach for next season. Interim coach MacDonald Makhubedu has been there and seen that when it all started for the club in the professional ranks, but indications are that he or any of his technical team members are unlikely to get the position permanently, at least for now.
According to sources, the club's search may not be limited to only in Mzansi but could also be extended to outside of the country.
Seema's impressive CV to do job?
While Seema and his camp might have started assessing options as the wait continues for the outcome of the contractual matter, the ex-Golden Arrows man has got his CV aiding him in the process of finding employment if needs be.
While Seema's camp may say they are not listening to any offers at the moment due to the existing contract with Sekhukhune, what those in the know have hinted is that it may not take long for the coach to return to the bench because of a demand for good coaches across the league.
One thing is for sure, whether it will be at Sekhukhune or anywhere else, a club that will have Seema on their bench next will be fortunate for he is such a meticulous mentor, and not only about the results, but his ability to improve players and an eye for young talent.
Secret Agent
The Siya crew spoke to a top agent in SA to get their expert understanding on what's going on. For obvious reasons, the agent will remain anonymous.
"This is a delicate matter involving an employer and employee and therefore it would be premature for us to comment on the possible outcomes without having all the details. Assuming that the coach committed the offence as per reports and looking at his current situation of being on special leave despite having done well with the team, I would say that chances of him getting reinstated are slim. But again, this is an employer and employee matter, and we don't know exactly what their relationship is like, because maybe the guy will apologise and find forgiveness, you may never know. But honestly speaking, I don't see the latter happening although I must say that I wish the guy the best of luck because he is such a good human being and a humble person, and we all know that mistakes do happen in life."
Soccer Laduma Fair Play
In line with maintaining its standards as a leading soccer publication in Africa, Soccer Laduma always seeks to report fairly and adhere to the importance of giving a right of reply. Lehlohonolo Seema was contacted for his side of the story on matters relating to his current position, but the respected coach opted to allow his management team to handle the situation. Unfortunately, the coach's representative, with whom the Siya crew got in touch, wasn't willing to discuss the matter but asked for the mentor's privacy to be respected instead. Be that as it may, we remain willing to give you, the reader, Mr. Seema's side of the story should he be able to speak. Meanwhile, Sekhukhune also opted to remain silent on the issue.
