Kruger United F.C.

Kruger United
Full nameKruger United Football Club
NicknameThe Village Boys
Founded2023 (2023)
GroundKaNyamazane Stadium
Capacity15,000
CoachAbraham Mongoya
LeagueSouth African Premiership
2025–26National First Division, 1st of 16 (promoted)

Kruger United is a South African soccer club, based in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, they will play in the South African Premiership from 2026–27 after promotion from National First Division in 2025–26.[1]

History

Kruger United was formed in 2023, after purchasing the SAFA Second Division status of Caroline FC.[1]

In its first season, it won the Mpumalanga stream in the 2023–24 SAFA Second Division, qualifying for the playoffs, reaching the final and earning promotion to the 2024–25 National First Division.[2][3][4] Kruger was defeated 2-0 by Highbury in the final.[5]

Kruger appointed Vusi Mkhatshwa as head coach in February 2024.[6] Mkhatshwa earned promotion with Kruger, the second time he had done so with a side from Mpumalanga, following Mbombela United's promotion in 2014–15. He retired at the end of the season.[7]

The club finished fifth in its first season in the National First Division, but experienced financial difficulties, with delays in paying player's salaries.[8] As of July 2025, 80% of the players had not been paid for May, June or July.[9]

Kruger United won the 2025–26 National First Division, earning promotion to the Premiership for the first time in their history from next season.[10] They were coached by Abram Mongoya, who joined them in ninth position in October 2025,[11] before leading them to the title in May 2026 with two games to spare.[12]

Honours

League record

SAFA Second Division Mpumalanga Stream

National First Division

References

  1. 1 2 "11-Month-Old Kruger United Rewrites History for the People of Bushbuckridge". Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  2. ↑ Raophala, Mauwane (21 June 2024). "Two new Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs confirmed". FARPost. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  3. ↑ Reporter, Central News (23 June 2024). "Catch the 2024 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs final: Kruger United vs Highbury FC LIVE on SABC 1 at 15:00". centralnews.co.za. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  4. ↑ "Kruger United and Highbury FC through to the ABC Motsepe National Playoffs Final - SAFA.net". 21 June 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  5. ↑ Raophala, Mauwane (23 June 2024). "Highbury FC crowned ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs champions". FARPost. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  6. ↑ tumelodibakwane (25 February 2024). "Bushbuckridge-based soccer club appoints new head coach". Mpumalanga News. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  7. ↑ Raophala, Mauwane (23 June 2024). "Kruger United coach makes decision on his future after gaining promotion to PSL". FARPost. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  8. ↑ Mokhesi, Tokelo (2 June 2025). "Union sounds alarm as PSL players go months unpaid". FARPost. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  9. ↑ Raophala, Mauwane (25 July 2025). "Kruger United players frustrated over unpaid salaries". FARPost. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  10. 1 2 https://farpost.co.za/2026/05/02/kruger-united-seal-betway-premiership-automatic-promotion/
  11. ↑ Dube, Mthokozisi (27 October 2025). "Abram Mongoya returns to Kruger United after Upington City exit drama". FARPost. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  12. ↑ Munyai, Ofhani (4 May 2026). "Abram Mongoya opens up on leaving Kruger Utd 'mistake'". FARPost. Retrieved 4 May 2026.


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