Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has revealed bold plans to return his club to the Betway Premiership, with the purchase of a top-flight status now a serious option.
In a candid interview on MSW, Comitis admitted that City’s relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship could trigger the loss of vital sponsors, including banking powerhouse FNB. He stressed that the club must return to the PSL immediately to avoid a damaging fallout.
“Well, you know, that’s always an option because the PSL has allowed an entry and a window of opportunity for clubs to do that,” Comitis explained.
Sponsorships under threat as City drop out
Comitis didn’t hold back when highlighting the financial strain relegation brings, particularly in the area of commercial partnerships.
“I don’t think we would be able to carry any sponsorship in the NFD, and quite rightly so, there’s no exposure there. It’s a long, hard road,” he stated.
He made it clear that the loss of television exposure and funding at second-tier level leaves little incentive for top-tier sponsors to remain involved.
Youth talent deserves a PSL platform
Comitis emphasised the need to provide a high-performance environment for the club’s players, including 15 youth internationals currently in the academy.
“They don’t want to be playing for an NFD club in their future; they want to be at a PSL club, and quite rightly so. We’ve created a lot of value in these players for themselves and the club,” he said.
He argued that keeping the club in the lower division does a disservice to both the players and South African football, considering the development pipeline City has cultivated over the years.
Quickest return the only way forward
“There’s a certain amount of funding and exposure you have at the PSL level, which you need to create value for your players and your club. All these things don’t exist in the NFD,” he stressed.
City planning already underway
Despite the uncertainty, Cape Town City have already taken action to prepare for the 2025/2026 season.
“We’re working around the clock to see what the possibilities are. We’ve already got our new coach who’s arrived in the country for next season, either way,” Comitis confirmed.
His proactive approach underlines how seriously the club views the need for a swift return to top-tier football, especially with their youth system, sponsorships, and long-term vision all at stake.
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