Vondwe XI Bullets unveil Owen Da Gama as the club’s Technical Director.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Veteran coach Owen Da Gama’s return to South African football has taken an unexpected turn after the experienced mentor was unveiled by newly promoted ABC FC as the club’s technical director, just days after Vondwe XI Bullets had announced him in the same position.
Da Gama returned to South Africa after a spell in Botswana with Black Lions FC, where he took charge during the club’s debut season in the Botswana Premier League.
Black Lions had acquired the top-flight status of VTM FC, making the 2025/26 campaign their first season in Botswana’s elite division.
Da Gama was brought in to help the newcomers compete in the top flight and ultimately try to keep them in the division. He left the club in December with Black Lions sitting 10th on the log, having collected 13 points from 14 matches. His record was three wins, four draws and seven defeats.
However, Black Lions could not survive after his departure and were eventually relegated at the end of the season.
Back home in Limpopo, Da Gama was initially linked with a return to Vondwe XI Bullets, the club he coached before moving to Betway Premiership side Magesi FC. Vondwe subsequently announced him as their technical director, where he was expected to work alongside newly appointed head coach Stanley “Bingo” Kgatla.
Kgatla has a history with Da Gama, having played under him at Platinum Stars in the PSL. The two were therefore set for a reunion at Vondwe, with Da Gama overseeing the club’s football structures and Kgatla taking charge as head coach.
But the story soon took another dramatic turn.
Within days, newly promoted ABC FC also unveiled Da Gama as its technical director, creating confusion in Limpopo football circles as two clubs appeared to have announced the same coach for the same position.
FARPost subsequently reported on the unusual situation, with Da Gama clarifying that although he had held discussions with Vondwe, the arrangement had not been finalised when the club announced him.
Da Gama said he later spoke to ABC FC and reached an agreement with the newly promoted club.
The sudden change has nevertheless sparked discussion among football followers, with some fans believing that ABC FC may have presented Da Gama with a more attractive offer. However, there has been no confirmation that financial considerations were the reason for the change.
For ABC FC, the appointment represents a major statement of intent as the newly promoted Venda side prepares for life in the ABC Motsepe League.
For Da Gama, the move brings him back to familiar territory and gives the experienced coach another opportunity to help build a football structure in Limpopo.
ABC FC unveil Owen Da Gama as the club’s Technical Director.