Siwelele FC have dismissed head coach Lehlohonolo Seema following the club’s winless start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season. Information reaching SN24 indicates the decision followed Siwelele’s 3-2 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium.
The two parties are now expected to finalise the terms of his departure before formally communicating the separation.
Seema signed a three-year contract when he took charge of the Bloemfontein outfit last season and was in the second year of the agreement. With time still remaining on his deal, Siwelele and the coach must agree on the financial terms for the termination.
As things stand, Seema is unlikely to be in charge when Siwelele face Mamelodi Sundowns in their next league assignment on Wednesday.
The Chiefs defeat extended Siwelele’s winless start to five matches. They have collected just two points from a possible 15, drawing twice and losing three times.
Seema has had to navigate a major squad overhaul during the off-season. Siwelele parted ways with more than 23 players from last season’s squad and brought in over 10 new faces as they sought to improve on their debut campaign.
The changes left the coach with the task of integrating a largely new group while also trying to produce immediate results. However, the club’s hierarchy has opted to make an early change following another difficult start.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF FOR SIWELELE
Siwelele also started slowly under Seema last season, winning just one of their first eight matches. That run included six defeats and a draw before a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in the Bloemfontein derby sparked a turnaround.
Seema had inherited a SuperSport United side that narrowly avoided relegation and had little time to prepare following Siwelele’s acquisition of the Tshwane club’s top-flight status.
He eventually steadied the ship and guided the team to a 10th-place finish. Siwelele won eight matches, drew 13 and lost nine, ending the campaign comfortably clear of the relegation zone.
Towards the end of last season, Seema spoke about using his second campaign to build a more competitive side. However, the rebuild brought several departures and arrivals, and the new-look team has struggled to find its rhythm.
Unlike last season, when Seema was afforded time to recover from an even worse start, Siwelele have pulled the trigger after five league matches.
The club must now settle the outstanding contractual matters with Seema and decide who will oversee preparations for Wednesday’s encounter against Sundowns.