Royal AM F.C.

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}} {{Use South African English|date=April 2019}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Royal AM F.C. | image = | upright = | alt = | caption = | fullname = Royal AM Football Club | nickname = ''Thwihli Thwahla'' | short name = | founded = | dissolved = 2024 | American = | ground = Harry Gwala Stadium | capacity = 12,000 | coordinates = | owntitle =  | owner = Shauwn Mkhize | chrtitle =  | chairman = Andile Mpisane<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vedan |first=Eshlin |title=Royal AM chairman Andile Mpisane must stick to Gucci and leave the football to the pros |url=https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/royal-am-chairman-andile-mpisane-must-stick-to-gucci-and-leave-the-football-to-the-pros-36b9fda4-f045-4a27-8d6f-eaadd22e3c0d |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en}}</ref> | mgrtitle =  | manager = John Maduka | coach = | league = Premiership | season = 2024–25 | position = 16th (expelled) | website = {{URL|www.royalam.co.za}} | kit_alt1 = | pattern_la1 = | pattern_b1 = | pattern_ra1 = | pattern_sh1 = | pattern_so1 = | leftarm1 = 000000 | body1 = 000000 | rightarm1 = 000000 | shorts1 = 000000 | socks1 = 000000 | pattern_name1 =  | kit_alt2 = | pattern_la2 = | pattern_b2 = | pattern_ra2 = | pattern_sh2 = | pattern_so2 = | leftarm2 = FFFFFF | body2 = FFFFFF | rightarm2 = FFFFFF | shorts2 = FFFFFF | socks2 = FFFFFF | pattern_name2 =  | kit_alt3 = | pattern_la3 = | pattern_b3 = | pattern_ra3 = | pattern_sh3 = | pattern_so3 = | leftarm3 = FF0000 | body3 = FF0000 | rightarm3 = FF0000 | shorts3 = FF0000 | socks3 = FF0000 | pattern_name3 =  | current = }}

'''Royal AM Football Club''', also commonly referred to as '''Thwihli Thwahla''', was a South African professional soccer club based in Pietermaritzburg that played in the Premiership.

==History== Originally, the club was called Kings United, before changing its name to Real Kings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-23 |title=Real Kings FC: proudly representing KZN |url=https://psl.co.za/news/article/3692974-real-kings-fc-proudly-representing-kz |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=psl.co.za}}</ref>

In 2019, Shauwn Mkhize and her son Andile Mpisane purchased Real Kings, renaming it Royal AM.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal AM FC |url=https://www.royalam.co.za/fc/history |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=www.royalam.co.za}}</ref>

They bought their right to play in the top tier after purchasing the Premiership license from Bloemfontein Celtic in August 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sibembe|first=Yanga|date=2021-08-17|title=SOCCER: Royal AM finally make it into the Premiership after PSL confirms Bloem Celtic purchase|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-08-17-royal-am-finally-make-it-into-the-premiership-after-psl-confirms-bloem-celtic-purchase/|access-date=2021-08-26|website=Daily Maverick|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-17|title=OFFICIAL {{!}} PSL confirm Bloemfontein Celtic sale, club to be renamed Royal AM|url=https://www.kickoff.com/news/articles/south-africa-news/categories/news/premiership/official-psl-confirm-bloemfontein-celtic-sale-club-to-be-renamed-royal-am/703914|access-date=2021-08-26|website=Kick Off}}</ref>

The club received a transfer ban from FIFA effective 3 July 2023 after unlawfully terminating the contract of Samir Nurković and failing to pay the outstanding amount of R12 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EXCLUSIVE: Royal AM face FIFA ban following Samir Nurkovic request {{!}} soccer |url=https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/exclusive-royal-am-face-fifa-ban-following-samir-nurkovic-request |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.sabcsport.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Sponsorship controversy== In August 2023, the heavily indebted Msunduzi Local Municipality stated that it was going ahead with a R27 million three-year sponsorship of Royal AM.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maliti |first=Soyiso |title=Msunduzi has 27 days' cash, owes Eskom and Umgeni Water - but insists on R27m Royal AM sponsorship deal |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/politics/msunduzi-has-27-days-cash-owes-eskom-and-umgeni-water-but-insists-on-r27m-royal-am-sponsorship-deal-20230828 |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ngcobo |first=Nokuthula |date=2024-02-27 |title=R27m deal between Royal AM and Msunduzi still raising questions |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/local-celebs/r27-million-deal-royal-am-msunduzi-municipality-mamkhize-eskom-debt-mayor-psl-carte-blanche/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

==Financial problems== In January 2025, the South African Revenue Service issued a preservation order against the club over unpaid tax debts by owner Shauwn Mkhize. In addition, players did not receive their December 2024 salaries, and the club's upcoming fixtures were postponed by the league's governing body, the Premier Soccer League (PSL).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mokhesi |first=Tokelo |date=2025-01-08 |title=Royal AM confirms unpaid salaries, SARS takeover |url=https://farpost.co.za/2025/01/08/royal-am-confirms-unpaid-salaries-sars-takeover/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=FARPost |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PSL cans Thursday's Royal AM game against Pirates, suspends all their matches |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2025-01-22-psl-cans-thursdays-royal-am-game-against-pirates-suspends-all-their-matches/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122154851/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2025-01-22-psl-cans-thursdays-royal-am-game-against-pirates-suspends-all-their-matches/ |archive-date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref> In March 2025 SARS put the club up for auction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biyela |first=Lunga |title=SARS puts Royal AM up for auction: How to bid for troubled PSL club |url=https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/sars-puts-royal-am-up-for-auction-how-to-bid-for-troubled-psl-club-751b5cc6-9b19-49b0-89dc-98c9eafd33a6 |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2025, the PSL's Board of Governors, consisting of the 15 Premiership teams (excluding Royal AM), and 16 National First Division teams, voted to expel Royal AM from the league.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vardien |first=Tashreeq |title=Royal AM out! PSL votes overwhelmingly to expel club from SA football |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/soccer/psl/psls-bog-vote-overwhelmingly-in-favour-of-royal-am-expulsion-20250410 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Sport |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Current squad== {{updated|16 August 2024}} {{fs start}} {{fs player|no= 2|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Siphesile Msomi}} {{fs player|no= 5|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Jeffrey Dlamini}} {{fs player|no= 6|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Shadrack Kobedi}} {{fs player|no= 8|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=Jabulani Ncobeni}} {{fs player|no= 9|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=Mxolisi Macuphu}} {{fs player|no=12|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Kabelo Mahlasela}} {{fs player|no=13|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Lesego Manganyi}} {{fs player|no=14|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Thabo Matlaba}} {{fs player|no=16|nat=CMR|pos=GK|name=Hugo Nyamé}} {{fs player|no=17|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=Shaune Mogaila}} {{fs player|no=18|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=Sanele Radebe}} {{fs player|no=19|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Sello Matjila}} {{fs player|no=21|nat=GHA|pos=FW|name=Godfred Nyarko}} {{fs player|no=24|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Thato Lingwati}} {{fs player|no=25|nat=RSA|pos=GK|name=Mondli Mpoto}} {{fs mid}} {{fs player|no=26|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Sbusiso Magaqa}} {{fs player|no=28|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Sikhethele Mabuza}} {{fs player|no=29|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Mlungisi Sikakane}} {{fs player|no=30|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=Ruzaigh Gamildien}} {{fs player|no=31|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Ayanda Jiyane}} {{fs player|no=33|nat=LES|pos=FW|name=Sera Motebang}} {{fs player|no=34|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Mfundo Thikazi}} {{fs player|no=38|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=Levy Mashiane}} {{fs player|no=40|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Philani Cele}} {{fs player|no=43|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Shane Roberts}} {{fs player|no=44|nat=RSA|pos=DF|name=Sabelo Sithole}} {{fs player|no=45|nat=RSA|pos=FW|name=Sedwyn George}} {{fs player|no=46|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Moffat Mdluli}} {{fs player|no=77|nat=RSA|pos=MF|name=Hopewell Cele}} {{fs end}}

== Honours ==

*SAFA Second Division Kwazulu Natal Stream: 2015–16{{refn|group="nb"|The league was known as the ABC Motsepe League at the time due to sponsorship reasons.}} *'''Macufe Cup''' **'''Winners''': 2022

;Notes

== League record ==

=== SAFA Second Division (KwaZulu-Natal Stream)=== * 2015–16 – 1st

=== National First Division === * 2016–17 – 11th * 2017–18 – 4th * 2018–19 – 12th * 2019–20 – 4th * 2020–21 – 2nd

=== Premiership === * 2021–22 – 3rd * 2022–23 – 11th * 2023–24 – 13th * 2024–25 – 16th (expelled)

== References ==

Category:Soccer clubs in South Africa Category:National First Division clubs