Kruger United F.C.

Last updated

Kruger United
Full nameKruger United Football Club
Founded2023
Ground KaNyamazane Stadium
League National First Division
2024–25 5th

Kruger United is a South African soccer club, based in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, that plays in the National First Division. [1]

Contents

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]

Honours

Players

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.