Khothatso Leballo

The Brazilians are staring at the grim prospect of ending the season empty-handed unless they mount a turnaround of their fortunes. To avert that outcome, Masandawana might need to pull their socks up in the PSL title race while also raising their game in the CAF Champions League and the Nedbank Cup. The pressure has intensified after the Tshwane giants already missed out on the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout this season.

South Africa have been drawn in Group B at AFCON, where they will renew COSAFA rivalries with Zimbabwe and Angola while also facing continental heavyweights Egypt. Navigating past this seemingly demanding pool would be crucial as South Africa chase a first AFCON title in 30 years.

Amakhosi are under a co-coaching arrangement between Cedric Kaze and Khalil ben Youssef following the departure of Nasreddine Nabi earlier this season. But with the Soweto giants struggling to challenge for trophies, some fans want the club to consider the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach for the top job at Naturena.

The departure of the 20-year-old centre-back to North America may have left a void that the Buccaneers will need to address. The Soweto giants have enjoyed a season built on being tight at the back and will be keen to ensure they do not suddenly become porous. Maintaining that defensive solidity will be key to their bid to add more silverware this season.

The national team coach acted swiftly to resolve an issue that had the potential to unsettle his camp to ensure his men remain focused on the upcoming continental tournament. He is now looking to lead a highly motivated squad to Morocco, determined to improve on the third-place finish they achieved at the previous edition.

The 21-year-old winger endured an unceremonious exit from Amakhosi but has since reinvented himself at TS Galaxy, emerging as one of the standout performers in the PSL. His exploits with the Rockets have placed him on the fringes of the Bafana Bafana setup and has a chance of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His form has also sparked transfer speculation, linking him with a return to Amakhosi as well as interest from Mamelodi Sundowns and the Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers have already clinched two trophies this season and, despite their CAF Champions League elimination, they still have a chance to finish the campaign with four titles. Their new signings have emerged as genuine game-changers, injecting fresh energy and quality into the squad. Their influence could prove decisive as the Soweto giants push to achieve their silverware ambitions.

The 20-year-old has made a huge leap in his young career, sealing a major move just nine months after breaking into professional football. While he was widely tipped to take the European route, the defender has instead opted for a switch to America, a decision that has sparked mixed reactions. Two former Amakhosi midfielders have come out strongly in support of the move after his national team coach openly voiced his opposition.

The 27-year-old heads to AFCON with South Africa on the back of a rejuvenated season in which he rediscovered his best form with the Buccaneers. He last tasted international tournament football in 2017 at the Under-20 AFCON with Amajita, but now has the chance to showcase his talent on the big stage with the senior national team. Much is expected of him at the tournament in Morocco as he looks to repay coach Hugo Broos for the faith shown in him.

The 20-year-old found himself in hot water with his national team coach after arriving late for AFCON camp in Pretoria. He had missed his flight from Durban after being granted two days off to recover from the Buccaneers’ participation in the Carling Knockout final. The incident infuriated the Belgian tactician, who did not hold back in publicly castigating the defender’s actions.

The former Orlando Pirates striker will head straight to Morocco after South Africa coach Hugo Broos indicated that his Europe-based stars will team up with the rest of his squad at the continental tournament. That rules him out of Tuesday's international friendly match against Ghana at Dobsonville Stadium. But being someone who has been in the national team setup for a while, his absence from the early stages of camp is likely not to show.

The 27-year-old was given a lifeline by the Buccaneers after being discarded by Mamelodi Sundowns when his career appeared to be heading downhill. He has since silenced his critics by rejuvenating his game at the Soweto giants, earning himself a return to the national team on the back of consistent performances. Now enjoying some good form, he is widely expected to play a key role for South Africa at the continental competition.

The exhibition match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday provided several players with the opportunity to showcase their talents against Beer Cup champions Orlando Pirates. It proved to be a valuable opportunity for Manqoba Mngqithi’s select side and the Buccaneers players alike to stake their claims during this AFCON break. In the end, the afternoon turned into a vibrant parade of what the Premier Soccer League has to offer, including exciting prospects emerging from the DStv Diski Challenge ranks.

The Brazilians were in terrific form in the tournament, showcasing their class. They first swept past their semi-final opponents to storm into the final, setting the tone for a dominant tournament decider. Their opponents had narrowly edged TAFIC 1-0 to book a spot in the final, but were then humiliated by the Tshane giants in the final. Overall, Masandawana underlined their superiority throughout the tournament.

The 61-year-old coach has surprisingly failed to stay long in each of his last four jobs, a sharp contrast to the stability he enjoyed at SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly. He is currently unattached amid speculation rife about his next move. With Hugo Broos expected to step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the former Abha Club coach is already being linked with a possible return to Bafana Bafana as well as other teams.

The 19-year-old forward is highly expected to help end Amakhosi’s long-standing goal-scoring troubles as the Soweto giants seek to have their attack match an improved defence. He faces tough competition for game time from experienced forwards like Glody Lilepo, Etiosa Ighodaro, Flavio da Silva and Khanyisa Mayo. But this is his opportunity to show Chiefs supporters that he can be the striker the club has always been searching for.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos announced his squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and as expected, there were prominent names missing from the Belgian's selection. One of the players whose omission triggered debate is the Wydad Casablanca attacker. He did not even appear in the preliminary squad and has, over a period of time, not been considered for national duty.

The 24-year-old winger is one of the players who featured at the last edition of the continental tournament in Ivory Coast, even though he was used only sparingly at the time. Back then, he was still turning out for Polokwane City before securing a big move to the Buccaneers ahead of the current season. The national team coach has since highlighted the significant improvement shown by the Cape Town-born star.