Khothatso Leballo

The former Bafana Bafana star was a high performer for two of South Africa’s traditional giants and also made his mark in Europe with Belgian side KV Oostende. His consistency and influence in midfield earned him recognition, and he has now made a major confirmation about his career.

GOAL gives you the details to follow the Masandawana's Premier Soccer League trip to KwaZulu-Natal for a date with the Citizens at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday. Currently enjoying a two-point lead on the table, the Brazilians are out to maintain their advantage on an evening when their closest rivals, Orlando Pirates, will also be in action.

The Brazilians face a demanding run-in as they battle to retain the Premier Soccer League title while also chasing glory in the CAF Champions League. The Brazilians cannot afford to loosen their grip on domestic dominance, with Orlando Pirates eager to pounce in the title race. At the same time, lifting the continental crown remains a top priority for the Tshwane giants after being runners-up last season.

The bid to succeed Kaizer Chiefs as champions of this season’s top knockout competition will be contested between the Rockets and the Citizens. This follows the conclusion of the tournament’s last-four stage, which has now set up a decisive showdown. With the semi-finals settled, the stage is now firmly set for one of the two sides to be crowned the new Ke Yona champions.

The South Africa national team coach is already shaping the final squad he plans to take to the global football showpiece. After a few surprise selections during the recent FIFA international break, more shocking decisions could still be on the way as he finalises his squad.

The Brazilians midfielder has enjoyed a turnaround in fortunes after a slow start to the season. His recent performances have reignited belief that he could play a key role for Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On top of that, there have been questions about his preparedness to go to Europe.

The KwaZulu-Natal outfit remains on course to win their first major trophy after reaching the final of South Africa's biggest knockout competition. They now wait for the winner between TS Galaxy and Milford FC, who clash in another semi-final match.

The Polokwane City star has been on an impressive rise, and his consistent performances at club level have earned him recognition and regular call-ups to the national side. However, a former Amakhosi star has questioned why the defender continues to receive limited playing minutes in international matches despite his growing influence.

The Amakhosi co-coach spent the international break on duty with his native country, where he is a technical advisor to their senior national team. They beat Chad home and away to seal an 8-0 aggregate win in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers preliminary round. That earned the tactician some plaudits.

The race for the Premier Soccer League Golden Boot is heating up, with the Masandawana star firmly among the leading contenders. He has kept himself in the conversation for the top-scorer crown. However, his impressive exploits in front of goal have not earned the national team coach's appreciation.

The Rockets have experienced a season of sharp contrasts, swinging between impressive highs and disappointing lows. From stunningly knocking the Brazilians out of the top domestic competition to suffering a humiliating Premier Soccer League defeat at the hands of the Buccaneers, their campaign has been anything but predictable. As a result, opponents often struggle to know what version of the Rockets they will face.

The Brazilians are back to resume their push for the Premier Soccer League title. They know that a win over the Chilli Boys at Loftus Versfeld on Friday will take them to the top of the table. Their coach will be hoping that most of his players returned from national duty fully fit.

The PSL’s three traditional giants have all looked beyond South Africa’s borders in their search for head coaches. That trend has sparked debate in local football circles, with some questioning whether enough faith is being placed in homegrown coaching talent. One of the country’s most prominent football figures has openly expressed his displeasure, arguing that South African coaches deserve greater trust and opportunities at the biggest clubs.

The former English Premier League player has leapt to the defence of the Burnley forward after he was criticised by his national team coach. The striker, who previously turned out for Orlando Pirates, has come under scrutiny over his performances for the national side. Despite the criticism, he continues to shoulder the nation’s hopes of being prolific at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Amakhosi coach spent some time away from Naturena amid mounting pressure on him and his co-coach despite the Soweto giants securing two victories just before the FIFA international break. He is expected to return refreshed and relieved, armed with fresh ideas to build on that momentum.

The three-time CAF Champions League winner has been without a club for over a year since leaving his last team in Iran. During this period, he has been focusing on developing young talent through his football schools. While away from the dugout, he continues to be linked with a number of teams looking to secure his services.

South Africa’s attack has become a growing concern ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with their forwards struggling to find form at club level. Of those players, the Burnley forward has been attracting more attention.

The players’ quest to secure places at the global football tournament continues, but the coach says he has already made up his mind about the bulk of the squad he intends to select. He insisted that even if some players deliver below expectations against Panama on Tuesday, they would still form part of his final selection.