Khothatso Leballo

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is already being spoken of as one of the brightest Bafana Bafana prospects. Now in his second season playing professional football, he has also featured at the FIFA World Cup for his age group. His rapid rise has fuelled strong rumours of a potential move abroad as his reported suitors continue to closely monitor his progress. However, there is a stumbling block standing in his way for now, delaying what looks like an inevitable step toward a bigger stage.

The former Al Ahly coach has tipped Amakhosi players to eventually dominate South Africa national team selections in the coming years. Masandawana have, in recent years, been the backbone of the Bafana Bafana, but that dominance has recently shifted to the Buccaneers. However, Mosimane believes Chiefs could soon restore balance in the national team setup by providing more players with support.

Two Amakhosi and Buccaneers stars are being closely compared as their seasons take contrasting directions. One has been in outstanding form, delivering consistent performances that have drawn widespread praise. The other, however, has seen his game go on a decline, facing harsh criticism from supporters as he struggles to rediscover his best form that landed him a contract with the Soweto giants.

The 38-year-old coach gained valuable experience after being at the helm of both the Buccaneers and Masandawana in high-pressure environments. He now finds himself in another demanding role at MC Alger, where expectations remain just as high and intense. This comes after a season at Wydad Casablanca, where he further sharpened his tactical prowess.

The Soweto giants’ rising star is still battling to secure a consistent place in the Amakhosi first team despite all the hype around his talent. Adding to the pressure, one of the players he grew up with has already made a major breakthrough and is now an international player with a strong reputation in South African football. That contrast has intensified expectations on the 19-year-old to finally step up and prove his worth.

The White Knights arrive in Limpopo buoyed by their 1-0 victory over ZESCO United in last Sunday’s group opener. They now turn their attention to wounded Amakhosi, who are desperate to respond positively after opening their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Al Masry away in Egypt. Despite their bright start, the Cairo giants arrive with concerns after travelling without a number of key injured players. They will hope the fitness situation in their camp will not derail their momentum in what promises to be a tense battle.

The Buccaneers have been navigating the season trying to have balance in their matchday squads, especially due to injuries to key players. This has become a real test of their squad depth in a campaign where they still have the chance to finish with a treble or even four trophies. Being knocked out of the CAF Champions League has eased their schedule and reduced the strain on their players. With fewer responsibilities, they can now channel their full energy into achieving success on the domestic front.

Anticipation is high as the Belgian coach edges closer to announcing his final squad for the continental competition. His provisional list has already offered a glimpse of what the final group could look like, sparking debate about the positions still up for grabs. Notably, four Amakhosi players have been included, and all eyes will be on whether they survive the final cut after the Soweto giants failed to contribute a single Bafana Bafana player at the last AFCON edition.

The Soweto giants suffered defeat in their group opener away in Egypt, and that leaves them with a task to recover when they host Zamalek in Polokwane on Sunday. They will be out to avoid dropping points again as they eye reaching the tournament's Knockout stage. Failing to beat the White Knights could leave Amakhosi under pressure going into their third match of this pool,  something that might take a psychological toll on the players. 

Once more, the Amakhosi product was a shining star for Galaxy as he scored and provided an assist. The goalless draw will add more pressure on former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt, as Durban City have failed to return to winning ways. The PSL debutants have only one win in the last five games across all competitions and were recently eliminated from the Carling Knockout.

The DR Congo international drew significant attention in October after his dramatic showing at Orlando Pirates’ stadium. His display even caught the interest of Kaizer Chiefs players Bruce Bvuma and George Matlou, who video-called him in a light-hearted jab at their Soweto rivals. Adding to that, popular Amakhosi supporter Papa Wawa presented the defender with a special gift upon his return to South Africa last week. That has all heightened the buzz around the player’s growing profile.

Masandawana were relatively quiet in the last transfer window, opting for minimal activity in the market. Of the four signings they made, the arrival of two Portuguese midfielders has generated the most anticipation and scrutiny. Both are expected to deliver at a higher level than their former Brazilian star who departed for Spain.

GOAL gives you the details to follow Amakhosi's CAF Confederation Cup Group D trip to Egypt. They face The Green Eagles at Suez Stadium on Sunday as they push to start their group campaign on a high. Coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef are leading the Soweto giants for this mission in North Africa from where coming back home with maximum points can be tricky.

The 43-year-old's coaching credentials have been under stern scrutiny as his club struggles in the Botswana Premier League. Poor results sparked rumours that his job is no longer safe and that he could soon be shown the exit door. The pressure has mounted as he battles to transfer the class he once displayed as an Amakhosi star into his coaching career.

Reports suggest that the 20-year-old is a wanted man in Major League Soccer. That has divided opinion, with some fans saying it would be a career blunder while others feel it would be a good move for his progress. This comes as the centre-back, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal, has been enjoying a terrific year of football, playing for both the Buccaneers and Bafana Bafana.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns star has missed only two matches for Amakhosi this season. At 34, he stands out as one of the most experienced figures in the Soweto giants’ dressing room. His wealth of knowledge, especially in continental football, places him among the key players expected to guide the squad through the CAF Confederation Cup this season.

Masandawana host the Railmen at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday as they begin their CAF Champions League Group C campaign. They are keen on making a strong statement, knowing a win would help them stay at par or overtake Al Hilal, who occupy top spot after edging MC Alger on Friday. With home advantage and high expectations on them after last season's near-miss in this tournament, the Tshwane giants will be pushing to seize early control of the group.

The Algerian champions began their group campaign on a sour note after suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Sudanese giants at Al Hilal's temporary home ground, Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday. It was a disappointing outing in which they struggled to impose themselves despite some periods of promise. For The Doyen’s South African coach, it was a forgettable game as his side could not make use of their numerical advantage late in the match.