The sudden loss of a R60m sponsorship deal leaves Comitis’ men facing an uphill battle in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Cape Town City, popularly known as The Citizens, is one of the youngest yet most impactful clubs in South African football. Founded in 2016, the Mother City side quickly carved out a reputation as a competitive force – lifting the 2016 Telkom Knockout (now known as the Carling Knockout Cup) and the 2022/23 DStv Diski Challenge. Consistently finishing in the top eight of the Premiership, the club looked destined for long-term stability until last season’s dip in form saw them end in 15th place with just 27 points from 7 wins, 6 draws, and 15 losses.
As the club revealed their new kit for the 2025/26 campaign, one glaring absence was hard to ignore: the iconic FNB logo. For years, Chairman John Comitis battled PSL boardroom politics to secure and defend the deal against claims of a conflict of interest, particularly with Nedbank’s sponsorship of the Nedbank Cup. Yet, despite those efforts, FNB has pulled the plug on what was a freshly renewed three-year contract worth around R60 million.
The timing could not be worse. Reports suggest the withdrawal clause was triggered by City’s relegation, with the bank now redirecting its sponsorship priorities toward rugby and schools’ football. The Citizens, meanwhile, were informed only a week before their Motsepe Foundation Championship opener against Venda – leaving them scrambling.
Without FNB’s financial muscle, City face an uphill battle. Competing in the Championship brings far less funding than the Premiership, and the loss of a major corporate partner could severely limit recruitment, player retention, and overall stability. While it is not uncommon for sponsors to cut ties when clubs hit troubled waters, the blow is particularly heavy for a side that had built a brand synonymous with ambition and upward mobility.
For Comitis and his management team, the challenge is clear: find an alternative sponsor quickly or risk stalling the club’s efforts to bounce back to the topflight. Whether they can replace the void left by FNB will determine not only their immediate fortunes, but also the long-term trajectory of Cape Town City FC.
