Khothatso Leballo

Calls for the 21-year-old defender to be included in the National Team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continue to grow louder, with some believing he has done enough to earn his place in the squad. The centre-back has steadily built his profile during his three years in the United States, gaining valuable experience in a competitive environment. Crucially, he has tested himself against some of the best attacking talents in the game, such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

The KwaZulu-Natal outfit is fast carving out a reputation of constantly chopping and changing technical team members, with stability proving hard to find at the club this season. Just as continuity seemed within reach, their German technical director has departed once again, marking his second exit this season. The revolving door continues to raise questions about the club's long-term planning and direction.

The 27-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at Amakhosi from Algerian outfit CR Belouizdad, arriving at Naturena earlier this season with high expectations on his shoulders. However, he has yet to deliver the kind of performances many anticipated when he made the move to the Glamour Boys. It remains to be seen whether he will be trusted to feature in Saturday’s Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.

The 27-year-old has battled to live up to expectations since arriving at Amakhosi, but he now has a golden opportunity to silence his critics on the grand stage. With the Glamour Boys’ forwards struggling to find the back of the net, the spotlight will firmly be on them to deliver when it matters most. A clash between two traditional giants offers the perfect platform for redemption and a chance to rise to the occasion.

Second-placed Buccaneers are determined to topple Mamelodi Sundowns from the summit of the Premier Soccer League standings, while Amakhosi are equally motivated to climb up from fourth spot. The stakes are high in this match, with both giants sensing an opportunity to shift the balance at the top. A defender from the Sea Robbers believes the occasion carries a special intensity beyond just the bragging rights.

The Buccaneers have been grappling with a few fitness concerns in recent days, forcing the technical team to carefully manage player workloads. The coach has been trying to deal with the situation through a well-managed rotation policy, making full use of his huge squad. They now head into a clash against Amakhosi, a fixture that will provide another stern test of their depth.

The former South Africa Under-23 star has been in the United States since January 2023, where he has steadily worked his way into the first team at his Major League Soccer club. The centre-back has grown with consistent performances at the heart of defence. His impressive outings have even sparked calls for him to be considered for senior national team duty with the South Africa national football team.

The Glamour Boys have stumbled into a worrying dip in form at the worst possible time, just as they gear up for a high-stakes clash against a traditional rival. Performances have gone down noticeably, raising fresh doubts about their mental strength heading into the blockbuster encounter. A former player who once called Naturena home believes this slump was inevitable, insisting the warning signs had been there for weeks.

The Cape Winelands outfit bolstered their squad mid-season with a number of experienced players, including two recruits from the Buccaneers. Veteran coach Gavin Hunt is now tasked with guiding his side from the dreaded chop as the season enters its decisive phase. It has since been disclosed whether the Maroons will retain one of their mid-season signings beyond the current campaign.

The duo arrived from Cape Town Spurs earlier this season amid expectations they would quickly establish themselves as regulars at Amakhosi. Instead, they have battled to impose themselves and have struggled to deliver what many anticipated. Their slow start has sparked questions over whether the Soweto giants made the right call in bringing them to Naturena.

The Buccaneers will be under intense scrutiny to see if they have the character to rise from their recent slump and get their Premier Soccer League campaign back on track. All eyes will be on whether they can show the mentality required of true title contenders. The ultimate test will be if they have what it takes to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns, who have dominated the league for eight consecutive seasons.

Brazilians returned to the top of the Premier Soccer League table after edging Usuthu 1-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday. As the match appeared to be headed for a goalless draw, the Chilean rose from the bench to grab the only goal of the match and spark wild celebrations from Masandawana, who were staring at another humiliating outing following the Nedbank Cup exit.

The former Amakhosi centre-back is in a race against time to be fit for the global football tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Failure to recover fully could force South Africa’s coach to rethink his defensive plans ahead of the global showpiece. It would mean searching for a replacement for the player he trusted during the 2025 AFCON finals.

The Amakhosi vice-captain rose through the youth ranks at Naturena but left to pursue regular first-team football elsewhere, turning out for Chippa United, Bidvest Wits and Stellenbosch FC. Those moves helped him gain valuable top-flight experience and mature as a leader. He returned to Naturena in July 2022 and has since grown into one of the club’s senior figures.

The New Zealander is now with the Buccaneers, determined to nail down a regular starting spot at the Soweto giants. His high-profile switch from Stellenbosch FC was viewed as a major step in his career and a platform to elevate his game. The move is also expected to boost his chances of going to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the All Whites.

The 20-year-old was one of the standout performers for the South Africa national U20 football team at the 2025 edition of the age-group global tournament. His displays raised hopes that he could return to Amakhosi and become a regular as the Soweto giants chase their season ambitions. However, he has found it difficult to cement a consistent place in the starting line-up.

The 29-year-old has been with the Buccaneers since July 2019, when he joined the Soweto giants from Bloemfontein Celtic. However, this season has arguably been the toughest of his time at the club, with increased competition in midfield and limited opportunities. The difficult spell has fuelled speculation about his future under the current coach and whether he still features in the long-term plans.

Even as the Masandawana coach rotates his squad to keep the team fresh, the former Stellenbosch FC star still struggles for regular game time. Despite the Brazilians blowing hot and cold, competition for places remains fierce, limiting his match opportunities. Having travelled to the United States with the Tshwane giants last June, he now hopes to make the trip again, but this time with the South Africa national soccer team.