Royal AM now has the opportunity to relocate and benefit financially from Maritzburg United’s relegation to the NFD.
Due to their planned move to Harry Gwala Stadium, which will earn them R27 million over three years, Thwihli Thwahla, Royal AM will experience an important financial advantage.
Media reports suggest that Shauwn Mkhize’s side will receive the money from Umsunduzi Municipality as Maritzburg went down to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
The Pietermaritzburg municipality has been backing Maritzburg financially since the 2014/15 financial year but it seems Royal AM will now leave Durban’s Chatsworth Stadium.
According to iDiski Times, Umsunduzi announced that it cannot afford to have the Harry Gwala Stadium not hosting DStv Premiership matches.
Following an emergency meeting this week, it has emerged that an opportunity was presented to the council to enter into a sponsorship agreement with the Royal AM Football Club.
“The Msunduzi Municipality has, since the 2014/15 financial year, entered into a sponsorship agreement with Maritzburg United Football Club,” said iDiski Times.
“The most recent (3) year deal sponsorship agreement between the Msunduzi Municipality and the MUFC was due to expire at the end of June 2024.
“Due to the relegation of Maritzburg to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, the current deal sponsorship agreement will be terminated as one of the conditions of the sponsorship was for the club to remain in the premier division.
“The proposal to sponsor the Pietermaritzburg-based Royal AM Football Club is based on the above background.”
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The South African understands that the proposed sponsorship with Royal AM is for the next three years with an amount “of R9-million per annum (excluding VAT) + CPI in the two outer years.
In light of this development, the league’s governing body Premier Soccer League announced the confirmed fixtures and home venues for the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season indicating that Royal AM’s home games will be played at Harry Gwala Stadium.
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The South African reported that former Orlando Pirates midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu was training with Royal AM as he looks for a new club.
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His agent Mike Makaab of ProSport International confirmed that his client is training with Thwihli Thwahla but they remain open to offers.
“He is training with Royal AM and it’s too early to say or talk about interest or talks from them,” Makaab told The South African.
