Cape Town In a significant restructuring of their squad ahead of the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season, Cape Town City Football Club has confirmed the departure of two influential midfielders, Thulani Serero and Kamohelo Mokotjo. This decision, which has caught the attention of many South African football enthusiasts, follows a season of fluctuating performances for the Mother City-based club. Adding to the changes within the team, goalkeeper Ayanda Sithole has also parted ways with Cape Town City.

The club officially announced the departures of Serero and Mokotjo through a statement released on Thursday, confirming that the contracts of the two experienced midfielders would not be renewed for the upcoming season. Both players were high-profile acquisitions who were expected to bring a wealth of knowledge and quality to the team's engine room. Simultaneously, the club confirmed that goalkeeper Ayanda Sithole, who had been part of the Cape Town City setup since 2021, has also left the club after reaching a mutual agreement with the management.

Thulani Serero, the seasoned 35-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Bafana Bafana international, has been a pivotal figure in the Cape Town City midfield since his arrival from Al Jazira in 2022. Renowned for his exceptional vision, creative flair, and refined technical abilities in the central areas, Serero quickly became a fan favorite and earned accolades from football analysts across the country. However, a series of unfortunate injuries that hampered his consistent availability, coupled with a perceived strategic shift in the club's playing philosophy and long-term plans, appear to have contributed to the decision not to extend his stay.

In a heartfelt farewell message shared on his social media platforms, Serero expressed his gratitude, stating, “I want to sincerely thank the incredible fans and the Cape Town City club for their unwavering support throughout my time here. It has been an unforgettable journey filled with cherished memories that I will always hold dear. I now eagerly look forward to embracing the new challenges and opportunities that the future holds, and I wish the club nothing but resounding success in all their endeavors moving forward.”

Similarly, Kamohelo Mokotjo, the experienced 34-year-old former Brentford and Feyenoord player, has been a consistent and steady presence in the heart of Cape Town City’s midfield since joining the club in 2022. While Mokotjo has showcased glimpses of his undeniable quality and tactical awareness, he has also faced his own battles with consistency and injury setbacks in recent months, limiting his overall impact on the team. His departure inevitably leaves a noticeable void in Cape Town City’s midfield department, an area that the club’s management will undoubtedly be looking to reinforce and address strategically during the upcoming transfer window.

Mokotjo’s statement following the official announcement was equally heartfelt and appreciative: “It has been a true privilege and an honor to have had the opportunity to play for such a passionate and dedicated fanbase here in Cape Town. I will carry with me the valuable lessons I have learned during my time at the club, and I extend my very best wishes to Cape Town City for a successful and prosperous future.”

Meanwhile, the exit of goalkeeper Ayanda Sithole from Cape Town City had been anticipated by some observers, with the player reportedly seeking more regular opportunities to showcase his abilities in a first-team role. After spending the past two seasons primarily as a reliable backup to the established first-choice goalkeeper, Hugo Marques, the 24-year-old Sithole opted to pursue a move elsewhere in search of consistent game time. While his next destination has not yet been officially confirmed, his departure signifies a change in the goalkeeping department at the club.

Cape Town City’s management, under the guidance of head coach Eric Tinkler, has openly indicated that these significant player departures are part of a broader and more comprehensive squad overhaul that the club is undertaking. This strategic reshaping is aimed at injecting fresh energy, new perspectives, and ultimately improving the club’s overall performance and competitiveness in the highly demanding Premier Soccer League in the new 2025/26 season. "We have had to make some difficult decisions regarding the composition of our squad, but we firmly believe that these changes are necessary and crucial for the long-term growth and success of Cape Town City Football Club," Tinkler stated, emphasizing the rationale behind the departures.

As Cape Town City Football Club embarks on the process of regrouping and rebuilding their squad for the challenges of the 2025/26 PSL season, the departures of experienced campaigners like Thulani Serero and Kamohelo Mokotjo, along with the exit of goalkeeper Ayanda Sithole, undoubtedly mark the end of a particular era at the club. The club’s loyal and passionate fanbase will now be keenly hoping that the management can effectively and strategically replace these experienced players with new talent and fresh perspectives, bringing in individuals who can contribute to the team’s ambitions of challenging for higher honors and achieving greater success in the seasons to come. The upcoming transfer window will be a critical period for Cape Town City as they look to shape a squad capable of competing at the highest level of South African football.

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