SuperSport United endured their worst-ever season in the PSL top flight, narrowly escaping the relegation playoffs.
It was a tumultuous campaign for Matsatsantsa marked by significant squad changes, a mid-season coaching change, and a desperate fight for survival.
Ahead of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season, SuperSport brought in winger Vincent Pule and Bafana Bafana right-back Nyiko Mobbie as marquee signings.
That being said, the club also offloaded several key players, including promising youngster Shandre Campbell to Club Brugge, defender Kegan Johannes to Mamelodi Sundowns, and midfielders Thalente Mbatha and Salaelo Rasebotja to Orlando Pirates.
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The season kicked off poorly for United with a 3-1 extra-time defeat in their MTN8 quarter-final against Orlando Pirates, followed by a 2-0 loss in the Tshwane derby.
While they secured their first league win against TS Galaxy, three consecutive losses, including a 4-0 thrashing by Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Cup Round of 16, highlighted their early struggles.
In a bid to address their goalscoring woes, SuperSport announced the signing of 33-year-old Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic on an 18-month contract in mid-November.
This addition seemed to spark a turnaround, as Gavin Hunt’s side avenged their cup exit a week later with a Tashreeq Morris strike. The team finished 2024 strongly, losing just once in their final six matches of the year.
The January transfer window saw more movement for United, as they sold Morris to Kaizer Chiefs but acquired Congolese winger Christian Saile from the Soweto giants and Lebo Maboe on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns.
Despite the new additions, 2025 began with four consecutive losses in the Betway Premiership. Although they progressed to the Nedbank Cup round of 16, a run of four matches without a victory, including a penalty shootout loss to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final, raised serious concerns.
On March 21, the club announced a significant change, parting ways with head coach Gavin Hunt and appointing assistant coach Andre Arendse as interim manager until the end of the season. The former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper immediately made an impact, going unbeaten in his first four matches and lifting the team out of the relegation playoff zone.
Despite three consecutive defeats later in the season, SuperSport United secured their PSL top-flight status with a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows, ultimately finishing in 14th position.
The team’s reliance on youngsters like defender Ime Okon and left-back Neo Rapoo, who both earned their first Bafana Bafana call-ups, became evident as the club felt the impact of losing experienced key players in previous transfer windows.
Looking ahead, recent reports suggest a significant change for the club: SuperSport United has reportedly agreed to sell its PSL status for R50 million to a Bloemfontein-based businessman. The club is expected to be renamed Celtic United ahead of the 2025/26 season, marking a new chapter for the team.