Masandawana have made statement signings, sending a clear signal to rivals that they should expect a stronger team. Monnapule Saleng and Brayan Leon are top stars that have been brought on board to strengthen the striking department that already has record breaker Peter Shalulile and Iqraam Rayners, last season's second-best league scorer. But who exactly is influencing these signings? A question has been posed.

This is particularly a big blow to Mohamed Salah's individual ambition of winning the international trophy for his country, which has remained an elusive mission in his career so far. For Mane and his teammates, the dream of winning the second AFCON trophy remains very much alive after progressing to the ultimate stage. The win means Senegal have stamped their authority on this fixture, as they have a decent record against the Pharaohs, where they have now won four of their last six games. 

The Premier Soccer League relegation candidates could struggle to find a suitable replacement for Masandawana's new signing as they fight to avoid the chop from top-flight football. Securing a player of the calibre of their former vice-captain is likely to prove difficult in the current January transfer window. It is a test the Mswenko Boys were not prepared for, according to their coach.

The South African Premier Soccer League has recently produced talented youngsters who have shown promise in the game, inviting interest from abroad where several teams have been chasing them. In the last couple of months, youngsters have left for Belgium as well as the Major League Soccer and, seemingly, this is not going to stop.

The Super Eagles came into the match hoping to go all the way and make amends for the shortcomings that saw them finish second two years ago in the Ivory Coast. However, they were not going to get it easy playing the Atlas Lions, who have enjoyed massive home support since the start of the biennial competition.

The 20-year-old defender has been doing well for both club and country, explaining why he was snapped up by the Major League Soccer outfit from the Buccaneers, who gave him a chance in March 2025. The centre-back was part of the Bafana Bafana team that featured in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where they reached the Round of 16.

Arne Slot can't catch a break right now. Barnsley at home in the FA Cup should have made for a comfortable Monday evening for the under-pressure Liverpool boss. Dominik Szoboszlai had other ideas, though. Having earlier broken the deadlock with a thumping strike from distance before Jeremie Frimpong netted his first goal at Anfield with an equally emphatic finish, the Hungarian gifted Liverpool's third-tier opponents a goal just before the break with one of the most inexplicable errors you'll ever see on a football field.

As Chiefs' Premier Soccer League rivals strengthen for the next phase of the campaign that is expected to be gruelling, Amakhosi are yet to sign any new player. In the pre-season transfer window, the Soweto giants signed a number of players to strengthen respective departments of their playing unit. However, weaknesses in their squad still remain, and the club has been urged to bring on board players that will help cover those gaps.