Gallants announce appointment of former Sundowns keeper as new coach
Marumo Gallants have a new head coach, and they want him on the touchline immediately.
The club have appointed former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronny Kananelo for the rest of the 2026/27 season.
The Namibian’s first assignment is as hard as it gets: Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership on Thursday. Gallants sold the appointment as experience over experiment.
“Kananelo brings extensive coaching and playing experience across Southern African football,” the club said.
A former professional goalkeeper, he won three league titles and several domestic trophies with Mamelodi Sundowns.
He then earned 53 caps for Namibia and played at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations.
The coaching CV is long. UNAM FC, Black Africa, Bucks Buccaneers, African Stars, Maritzburg United and Bloemfontein Celtic.
He has also sat on Namibia’s technical staff at AFCON in 2008, 2019 and 2023. Most recently he took African Stars into the CAF Champions League second preliminary round.
“He holds a CAF A Licence and brings a coaching philosophy centred on discipline, tactical intelligence, and player development,” Gallants added.
That is the pitch: a former keeper who knows how to win, a coach who has worked both sides of the border, and a man they want to start now — not after a honeymoon.
“Marumo Gallants welcomes coach Kananelo and looks forward to his contribution as the club continues to compete and build for the future.”
The welcome will be short. Pirates do not wait. They want to catch up to Sundowns in the league.
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