Khothatso Leballo

The Soweto giants are firmly chasing their first Premier Soccer League title since 2012, with their sights set on ending a long domestic drought. While the PSL crown remains the main focus, the Buccaneers could still finish the season with as many as four domestic trophies in their cabinet. This comes despite having already missed out on CAF Champions League glory in the qualifying rounds, a competition in which their run ended at the semi-final stage last term.

The first round of South Africa's premier knockout competition is set to kick-off on February 4, with some interesting match-ups on the cards. Defending champions Amakhosi and other participants now know when their fixtures are and the venues where they will play their games. This is a prestigious competition that comes with a ticket to play CAF Confederation Cup football next season.

The Soweto giants have enjoyed an encouraging start to 2026 and would want to maintain their form when they visit Bahlabane ba Ntwa for Wednesday's Premier Soccer League clash at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium. Having recorded slim 1-0 wins in their last two games against Golden Arrows and ZESCO United, Amakhosi might want to see improvement upfront, and three forwards could start.

The 36-year-old has enjoyed a career spanning close to two decades, rising from a youngster in the Premier Soccer League to a seasoned veteran of the game. His time at Naturena was arguably the epitome of his playing career. That spell with the Soweto giants was complemented by representing Bafana Bafana on the international stage.

As the Buccaneers have just entered the second half of the season with a squad that already looked balanced, the coach still appears to be searching for solutions in certain areas. That pursuit has seen him bring in a New Zealand attacking midfielder, a forward, and a left-back who can also operate as a central defender. What remains to be seen now is whether those signings prove to be the right choices.

The Soweto giants recovered from setbacks in their opening two group matches by grinding out a crucial away win in Zambia. While it is three vital points picked in Ndola, some fans were left unimpressed by the manner in which the team secured victory. The result reignited hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the competition from a group that has Zamalek and Al Masry as fierce competitors.

Clubs in the Premier Soccer League have resumed their domestic assignment after a couple of weeks on break owing to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Usuthu's bid to finish in the top eight again received a huge boost after their win, as Polokwane suffered a defeat after a four-match unbeaten streak.

The Soweto giants picked their first maximum set of points in this CAF Confederation Cup Group D after edging Zega Mambo away at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Sunday. It was a crucial victory on the road which renewed Amakhosi's hopes of reaching the knockout stage of this continental competition.

After starting the year on a bright note with a 2-0 Premier Soccer League victory over Orbit College, the Brazilians then stumbled and dropped points at home in their continental fixture against the Sudanese giants. That piles more pressure on their Portuguese coach whose job appears to be on the line.

GOAL gives you the details to follow the Soweto giants' trip to Polokwane for a Premier Soccer League date with Babina Noko at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. It is the Buccaneers' first match of 2026, and they would want to build on the momentum they left off last year, as they showed seriousness in their fight for the league title. They come up against a team that beat them in their first PSL match of the season in October 2025.

The Buccaneers return to action after the 2025 AFCON break with a tricky Premier Soccer League trip to Polokwane, where they face Babina Noko at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. The Buccaneers are out to reclaim the two-point cushion they held before the break, having been knocked off the summit after Mamelodi Sundowns shot to the top on Monday. Adding spice to the encounter, they come up against one of only two sides to have beaten them in the league this season.

The 21-year-old’s exit from Naturena might have come as a blessing in disguise, thrusting him into the limelight and opening doors to regular football at a time when some Amakhosi youngsters have struggled for Premier Soccer League opportunities. His spell at TS Galaxy provided the platform he needed to rebuild momentum and showcase his talent away from the intense pressure of the Soweto giants. That progress has now earned him a move abroad, with the youngster sealing a switch to Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire FC.

The 32-year-old midfielder is again on the move but remains in North Africa. The latest developments come after reports emerged that a deal is in the pipeline for the former Orlando Pirates man to go to Libya. This comes after he started the season on a high note for the Moroccan giants, as he justified their decision to sign him permanently when Rhulani Mokwena wanted him at MC Alger.

The Soweto giants resume their group-stage campaign in this continental competition, aiming to secure their first win of the tournament phase. This marks their second trip outside South Africa after opening their campaign with a visit to Egypt. They now head to Zambia with a delegation that includes 22 players as they look to get their campaign back on track.

The Brazilians are back to continue with their bid to be crowned African champions for the first time since 2016 and they welcome their Sudanese opponents to Loftus Versfeld on Friday. Important for Masandawana is maintaining their Group C lead as they host a team they are tied on four points with, as goal difference separates the two sides.

The Buccaneers began the year at the summit of the Premier Soccer League standings but have since been dislodged by Mamelodi Sundowns, who now hold a slender lead. Despite losing top spot, the Soweto giants remain firmly in the title race and are gearing up to resume their challenge. Attention now shifts to this weekend as the Soweto giants return to league action and their Moroccan coach could hand competitive debuts to some of the club’s new signings when they face Sekhukhune United on Saturday.

Since leaving Amakhosi in August 2023, the left winger has signed for four different clubs as he continues to battle for stability in his career. His move to the Bloemfontein-based outfit is seen as an opportunity to relaunch his game and finally realise the potential he showed early on. He is a player who previously had stints in Portugal and Lithuania, where he once looked destined to become a big name in South African football.

Amakhosi have signed just one player so far in the January transfer window, with the recruit arriving at Naturena on loan from Cape Town City and set to feature for the DStv Diski Challenge side. This means the Soweto giants are yet to make any new additions to their first-team squad despite the open window. A retired footballer has weighed in to outline what he believes should be Amakhosi’s key transfer priorities.