Royal AM coach John Maduka is in the unenviable position of having to dive into the 2024/25 season stripped of the privilege of registering any new players.
FIFA has banned Royal AM from signing players due to unpaid salaries to Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic.
The KwaZulu-Natal-based team failed to honour their two DStv Diski Challenge matches so far this season due to failure to register new players.
READ | IMPORTANT UPDATE: Royal AM versus Nurkovic case
Thwihli Thwahla are set to open their Betway Premiership campaign with a tricky fixture against Cape Town City at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday.
The side has already lost the services of Menzi Masuku and Thato Lingwati before the start of the season.
Masuku has since linked up with Golden Arrows, where he will be playing his football this season.
Maduka was hoping to sign a striker in a bid to improve their goal-scoring ratio this season.
"It has affected us," Maduka admits as much, speaking to KickOff.
"As a coach, like any other team, I would like to reinforce the team, somewhere, somehow. You will need a striker that will score goals for you. You will need a midfielder who will be influential. You will need a defender that will help the young ones and the team to achieve its goals.
"Somehow, it's a blessing in disguise. This is an opportunity for other ones to grab the opportunity and take the team forward," added the ex-Malawian international, choosing to look on the bright side.
READ | Transfer window despair for Royal AM
On a more positive note, Royal AM have since recalled Sinky Mnisi to be part of the management team for 2024/25.
The charismatic, if not controversial, administrator has taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer at the beleaguered outfit.