Malesela Dismissed By Baroka Again

Sportswire has been informed that Dan Malesela has once again been sacked by Baroka FC.

The dismissal comes as Malesela’s Baroka side sits second from bottom in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, with just one win in seven matches so far this season.

During that run, Baroka lost five matches and drew one, prompting concern within the club’s hierarchy and leading to the decision to make changes.

The final straw for Malesela was a 2-0 home defeat to the University of Pretoria this past weekend.

This marked Malesela’s second spell in charge of Baroka, having been reappointed in March last season after being dismissed by Marumo Gallants following a loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in February.

He returned to a Baroka side he had previously guided to the PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs at the end of the 2023/24 season. However, he was suspended and later dismissed after Baroka lost their opening playoff match to the University of Pretoria.

Following his exit at the time, Morgan Mammila was appointed with hopes of securing promotion. However, Richards Bay retained their PSL status after thrashing Baroka in the final playoff match at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, ending Baroka’s hopes of returning to the top flight.

Baroka—historically the first Limpopo club to win a major domestic trophy, the 2018/19 Telkom Knockout after defeating Orlando Pirates—were relegated at the end of the 2021/22 season, becoming only the second team in the PSL era to go down without winning an away match all season.

According to Sportswire sources, Malesela has been released along with his entire technical team. However, Mathari Motupa and Lucky Ntsoane have remained with the Limpopo-based club.

Baroka currently sit second from bottom with four points, level with newly promoted Midlands Wanderers, who occupy last place.

The bottom two teams in the Motsepe Foundation Championship are automatically relegated at the end of the season. Whoever takes over at Baroka will have the difficult task of ensuring the club does not drop into amateur football next term.