Polokwane City Football Club, commonly known as Polokwane City, is a South African professional football club based in Polokwane, Limpopo. The club was founded in 2012 and has since become a prominent member of the Premier Soccer League (PSL). With a rich history and a passionate fan base, Polokwane City has become a symbol of hope for football fans in the Limpopo region.
Formation and Early Years: Polokwane City was established in 2012 when the Mogaladi family purchased the franchise of Bay United Football Club. The club originally played in Port Elizabeth before relocating to Polokwane, where they officially changed their name to Polokwane City Football Club. The club’s village, which comprises offices and team members’ residences, is located at 55 Palmfontein, Soetdoring Polokwane.
Rise Through the Leagues: Polokwane City has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the South African football leagues, starting in the National First Division (NFD) and working their way up to the PSL. The club won the NFD title in the 2012/2013 season, gaining promotion to the PSL for the first time in their history. Since then, Polokwane City has established itself as a competitive force in the PSL, with a number of impressive performances against some of the country’s top teams.
Key Takeaways
- Polokwane City Football Club was founded in 2012 and has become a prominent member of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
- The club won the National First Division (NFD) title in the 2012/2013 season, gaining promotion to the PSL for the first time in their history.
- Polokwane City has become a symbol of hope for football fans in the Limpopo region.
Formation and Early Years
Polokwane City Football Club was established in 2012 when the Mogaladi family purchased the franchise of Bay United Football Club, which was originally based in Port Elizabeth [1]. The club was relocated to Polokwane, the capital city of Limpopo Province, South Africa.
The team’s early years were marked by a period of transition and adjustment. The club played in various temporary venues before settling in their current home ground, the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, which has a capacity of 20,000 spectators [2].
In the 2012/2013 season, the club changed its name from Bay United Football Club to Polokwane City Football Club, and won the National First Division (NFD) title, which earned them promotion to the top-tier league, the ABSA Premiership [1].
Despite their success in the NFD, Polokwane City had a difficult start in the ABSA Premiership. In November 2012, the club suffered a tragic loss when four players died in a car accident [1]. Despite this setback, the club persevered and continued to compete in the top-tier league.
Overall, the formation and early years of Polokwane City Football Club were marked by a period of transition and adjustment as the team settled into their new home in Polokwane and adjusted to the demands of competing in the ABSA Premiership.
References
Rise Through the Leagues
Polokwane City FC was established in 2012 after the owners of Bay United relocated the team to Polokwane. The club changed its name from Bay United Football Club to Polokwane City Football Club with effect from the 01st of August 2012. The team played in the National First Division (NFD) for the 2012/13 season.
Promotion to the Premier Division
In the 2013/14 season, Polokwane City finished second on the NFD log, securing promotion to the Premier Division for the first time in the club’s history. The team finished the 2014/15 season in 13th place, ensuring their survival in the top flight.
Polokwane City’s best season in the Premier Division came in the 2018/19 season, where they finished in fifth place on the log. The team narrowly missed out on qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup, finishing just two points behind fourth-placed Bidvest Wits.
Since their promotion to the Premier Division, Polokwane City has established themselves as a mid-table team, with occasional flirtations with the top eight. The club’s mission is to become a professional entity on and off the field of play, and with their recent performances, they are well on their way to achieving that goal.
Key Achievements and Titles
Domestic Cup Success
Polokwane City FC has not won any domestic cup titles in their history. However, the club has participated in the Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout Cup competitions over the years, with their best performance being reaching the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup in the 2017/2018 season.
League Performance
Polokwane City FC has had a relatively successful run in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) since gaining promotion in the 2013/2014 season. In the 2015/2016 season, the club finished in 8th place, which was their highest league finish at the time. They went on to improve on that performance in the 2016/2017 season by finishing in 6th place.
The 2018/2019 season saw Polokwane City FC finish in 5th place, which was their highest league finish to date. The club was also in contention for the league title for a significant part of the season, but ultimately fell short in the final stretch.
Overall, Polokwane City FC has established themselves as a consistent mid-table team in the PSL, with occasional flashes of brilliance. While they have not yet won any major titles, the club has shown the potential to compete at the highest level and could be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Stadium and Facilities
Home Ground
Polokwane City FC plays their home games at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, which is located in Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa. The stadium has a seating capacity of 41,733 and was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is named after Peter Mokaba, a prominent anti-apartheid activist from the Limpopo province. The stadium is also home to other local teams, including Baroka FC and Black Leopards FC.
Training Facilities
Polokwane City FC has a soccer development facility that serves as the club’s academy, aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent to feed the senior clubs in the region. The facility was formerly a second division franchise and was acquired by the club’s owners when they relocated from Port Elizabeth to Polokwane. The club has invested in modern training equipment and facilities to ensure their players are well-prepared for matches.
In addition to their own facilities, the club also has access to other training grounds around Polokwane, including the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium and the Seshego Stadium. These facilities provide the team with additional space for training and allow them to vary their training routines.
Overall, Polokwane City FC has modern and well-equipped facilities that allow them to compete at the highest level of South African football.
Community and Cultural Impact
Fan Base
Polokwane City FC has a dedicated fan base that supports the team through thick and thin. The club has a strong presence in the Polokwane community, and its success has helped to boost the morale of the locals. The team’s home matches are always well-attended, and the fans are known for their passionate support and unwavering loyalty.
Youth Development
Polokwane City FC is committed to youth development and has established a youth academy to identify and nurture young talent. The academy provides an opportunity for young players to develop their skills and potentially join the senior team. The club’s investment in youth development has not only helped to produce talented players but has also had a positive impact on the community. The academy provides a safe and structured environment for young people to learn and grow, and it has helped to instill a sense of pride and purpose in the youth of Polokwane.
Overall, Polokwane City FC has had a positive impact on the community and has helped to promote a sense of unity and pride. The club’s commitment to youth development and its strong fan base have helped to create a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the football field.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Polokwane City FC established?
Polokwane City FC was established in 2012 after the owners of Bay United sold the franchise to the Mogaladi family. Bay United originally came into existence in 2006 when the franchise of the struggling National First Division club Maritzburg United was purchased.
Who are some notable players who have played for Polokwane City FC?
Polokwane City FC has had several notable players over the years, including Edgar Manaka, Sbusiso Mbonani, and Simphiwe Hlongwane.
What are the greatest achievements of Polokwane City FC?
Polokwane City FC’s greatest achievement to date was finishing fifth in the Premier Soccer League during the 2018-2019 season.
Who has been the longest-serving coach of Polokane City FC?
The longest-serving coach of Polokwane City FC was Boebie Solomons, who was in charge of the team from 2012 to 2014.
How has Polokwane City FC performed in recent seasons?
Polokwane City FC has struggled in recent seasons, finishing near the bottom of the Premier Soccer League table.
What is the significance of the Polokwane City FC emblem?
The Polokwane City FC emblem features a lion, which represents strength, courage, and leadership. The blue and white colors on the emblem represent purity, peace, and loyalty.
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