The sale of Highlands Park to Tim Sukazi, the owner of GladAfrica Championship side TS Galaxy, has been approved by the Premier Soccer League.
Sukazi will relocate the team to Mpumalanga and play under the Galaxy name, but is expected to keep most of the Highlands squad, or at least those willing to make the move away from Johannesburg.
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“The acquisition comes at the back of lengthy and delicate discussions, where a mutual agreement was finally reached by both parties which will see TS Galaxy Football Club campaigning in the Premier Division of South African football as of the 2020/21 season,” Galaxy said in a statement on Thursday.
“As a result, TS Galaxy FC’s status in the GladAfrica Championship has been sold back to its former holders, Cape Town All Stars.”
Dan Malesela will make a return as head coach, with current incumbent Mabhuti Khenyeza leading the MultiChoice Diski Challenge side. Malesela will be assisted by Esau Mtsweni.
“As the only club from the Mpumalanga province competing in the Premiership, The Rockets will make use of the iconic, Mbombela Stadium as their home venue for the upcoming season,” Galaxy confirmed.
“This is as a result of the unavailability of club’s traditional home base, Kameelrivier Stadium as it does not meet the standards of hosting premiership fixtures as prescribed by the NSL Rules.”
Galaxy rose to national prominence when they became the first second-tier side to lift the Nedbank Cup, beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the 2019 final in their maiden season in existence.
It is the third time Highlands have sold their top-flight status. The first sale was to Jomo Sono to form Jomo Cosmos in 1983, with the second in 1993 as they became Welkom Eagles.
