Khothatso Leballo

The Buccaneers replaced Jose Riveiro with the Moroccan coach before the start of the current season and have continued as a competitive unit. They have already lifted two trophies this term, underlining the team’s ability to remain successful despite the change on the bench. Even though they have fallen well short of Riveiro’s run of reaching last season's CAF Champions League final, the Soweto giants and their coach remain highly regarded.

South Africa has three clubs left in the continental competitions this season, all with realistic chances of winning silverware outside the domestic scene. The Brazilians are competing in the premier club tournament they last won in 2016 and eager to reclaim their place at the summit of African football. Meanwhile, Amakhosi and the Cape Winelands side are contesting the second-tier competition, offering the two clubs a genuine opportunity to end their continental droughts.

South Africa were booted out of the continental competition at the Round of 16 stage by the Indomitable Lions in Rabat. The exit meant they failed to at least replicate the outing at the previous edition in Ivory Coast. They now head home, hoping their showing in Morocco will not demoralise them ahead of June's 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Buccaneers confirmed their first signing of January after securing the signature of the New Zealand international midfielder from Stellenbosch FC. The Soweto giants are beefing up their squad as they try to maintain top spot in the Premier Soccer League, as well as winning the Nedbank Cup in a season they could finish with a quadruple after claiming the MTN8 and Carling Knockout.

The 33-year-old has opted to step down to lower-division football after carving out a career in the Premier Soccer League over the years, including playing for the Buccaneers. With his vast experience, he is expected to add leadership and quality as the Citizens push for a return to the top-flight league. His signing could be City’s clearest statement of their intent to reclaim PSL status.

Morocco stirmed into the last eight of the continental competition following a slim victory over the Taifa Stars at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Sunday. The East Africans threatened to upset the hosts, especially in the first half, but the contest ended up in favour of the home side, who remain on course to reach the final of this competition.

The ambitious club decided to make a change in their technical team midway through the campaign as they look to mount a serious challenge for the league title. The change is likely to affect the club's squad, including a Pirates player who has been doing well this season.

The 31-year-old Belgian-Bosnian forward lasted just five months at Iranian Pro League side Zob Ahan after moving to Asia amid reported interest from some of the PSL’s big clubs. At the time, he had also openly expressed his desire to play for the PSL's traditional giants, fuelling speculation about a high-profile local move. However, he is now back in South Africa and has opted to restart his career in the National First Division.

Bafana Bafana continue with their bid to be crowned African champions with a Last-16 showdown against Cameroon at Al Medina Stadium on Sunday. After a less convincing outing against Zimbabwe in their last Group game, they will be out to show that they are championship material.

Things have rapidly deteriorated for the 22-year-old who was only in November 2023 crowned African Football League Most Valuable Player and finished as the tournament’s joint top scorer. He was part of Bafana Bafana’s squad at the 2023 AFCON and even started the opening match against Mali, underlining how highly he was rated at the time. However, injury struck, triggering a painful downhill slide that has stalled what once looked like a soaring career.

South Africa face the Indomitable Lions in a 2025 AFCON Round of 16 match at Al Medina Stadium on Sunday. It is a match both sides know that there is a high possibility the winner will face hosts Morocco in the quarter-finals. Fans have reacted with much interest in this pairing between Hugo Broos' side and the Central Africans.

Amakhosi's goalkeeping department has arguably been the most improved area this season, delivering greater consistency and confidence at the back. Strong performances between the posts by their captain have played a key role in stabilising the team in a campaign where they are left with the PSL title, Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup to fight for. However, with two of the club’s senior goalkeepers set to see their contracts expire in June, the Soweto giants are facing important decisions that could shape their plans for next season.

South Africa remains on course to lift the continental title as they prepare for a more demanding last-16 clash against the Indomitable Lions at Al Medina Stadium on Sunday. It is a big test for Hugo Broos’ side, with their title credentials set to be put through the sternest of examinations against the seasoned Cameroonians. A positive result would further underline South Africa’s growing belief that they can go all the way and win Afcon for the first time since 1996.

The Buccaneers have made themselves favourites to win the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League title. They currently lead the standings, enjoying a two-point lead at the top with two points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. That could see Abdeslam Ouaddou's men breaking Sundowns' stranglehold on the PSL after winning eight straight titles.

The two Amakhosi players have been under stern scrutiny for struggling to show up for some games in big moments when it matters the most for the Soweto giants. But they appear to have little backing from their representative who, however, has been seen fighting in the corner of a Buccaneers star who has been finding it difficult at the ongoing AFCON tournament.

The Buccaneers playmaker arrived in Morocco with expectations high on him to step in for Themba Zwane who did not make it to the continental football showpiece. But he is yet to reproduce the form that earned him a place in the national team squad doing duty in North Africa. This comes after the coach’s attempts to identify Zwane’s replacement in Patrick Maswanganyi have so far failed.

South Africa play their final Group B match against the Warriors at Stade de Marrakech on Monday, needing at least a draw to qualify for the Round of 16. Hugo Broos' side will be keen on picking themselves up from the defeat they suffered against Egypt on Friday. They come face-to-face with their stubborn neighbours who almost spoiled their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A former Buccaneers star has ranked South Africa’s young players, sparking a fierce debate among fans. This comes at a time when South African football is experiencing a wave of exciting emerging talent, some of whom have already become key figures in the Bafana Bafana setup. The rise of these players has boosted confidence about the long-term future of the national side.