Baroka FC has suspended head coach Dan Malesela with immediate effect. Club chairman Khurishi Mphahlele cited conduct issues as the reason for the suspension and confirmed an internal investigation is underway.

“Yes, we’ve placed him on suspension,” Mphahlele told Sportswire. “Everything is under investigation. Once it’s finalized, we’ll provide an update. We don’t want to prejudge coach Malesela or compromise the investigation team at this stage.”

Malesela, appointed in October for the remainder of the season, guided Baroka to a third-place finish in the Motsepe Foundation Championship this season, securing a playoff spot. However, they lost their opening playoff match against University of Pretoria on Sunday.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns development coach took over from Stanford Nkoane, who was dismissed by the club earlier in the season.

Baroka, the first Limpopo team to win a major trophy (Telkom Knockout trophy) in the 2018/19 season by defeating Orlando Pirates, was relegated at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

Interestingly, Malesela led TS Galaxy to the Nedbank Cup title that same season, defeating Kaizer Chiefs in Durban. This marked a unique PSL record – the first team from the second tier winning the South African equivalent of the FA Cup.

According to Sportswire, Nkoane is the frontrunner to reclaim his coaching position at Baroka. Negotiations permitting, he could be on the bench for their next playoff match against Richards Bay.