Khothatso Leballo

The Soweto giants have been knocked out of continental competition and will now shift their full attention to domestic duties. Their exit means only one tournament remains to fight for this season after falling short in three major trophy bids. With continental ambitions over, the focus turns to salvaging pride and success on the local front.

Players from Amakhosi have found it increasingly difficult to break into the national team setup in recent years. Not a single player from the Soweto giants featured in the South Africa squad for the last two AFCON editions, underlining the widening gap between the club and their PSL rivals, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who dominate Hugo Broos' side. That absence has raised concerns that performance standards at Amakhosi may have dipped compared to previous eras.

The Portuguese coach went into Saturday’s match with mounting pressure, staring at the embarrassing possibility of failing to steer the Brazilians into the tournament’s knockout rounds. However, Madsandawana rose to the occasion with a crucial victory that kept their campaign alive. The result allowed their tactician to breathe a huge sigh of relief as the immediate threat to his position appeared to have eased.

The Buccaneers opened a six-point gap at the summit of the Premier Soccer League standings after a 3-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. It was another productive outing for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side, who continue to build momentum in the title race. The Soweto giants are now 14 matches unbeaten across all competitions, with their last defeat dating back to October 2025.

The 20-year-old sealed an overseas deal less than a year after making his first appearance for the Buccaneers’ senior side. His swift progression underlines a meteoric rise that few would have predicted when he broke into the Soweto giants' first team in March 2025. The transfer is widely expected to open the doors to even more competitive leagues in Europe.

For the second successive match in this competition, the Buccaneers have been drawn against lower-division opposition. They are aiming to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2024 before being dethroned by Kaizer Chiefs last season. The Sea Robbers have been cautioned against the opponents they will be coming up against.

The Brazilians' camp has been on fire this week after damning allegations against one of the technical team members. The saga comes as the team prepares for a crucial CAF Champions League game, at a time the coach would be avoiding any distractions affecting his players. A senior player has responded to the saga rocking Chloorkop.

The 30-year-old Buccaneers defender is yet to feature in a competitive match for the Soweto giants this season. He last played a competitive game in May 2025, and as he worked his way to try and make himself a regular this term, tragedy struck, and he found himself on the sidelines battling to regain full fitness.

The Brazilians have unusually failed to win their last four continental games, plunging them into a swim-or-sink situation ahead of hosting the Algerian giants in a Valentine's Day fixture at Loftus Versfeld. While facing such a big assignment and trying to stay focused, a scandal has exploded in the Masandawana camp.

The Mswenko Boys have moved in to sign an experienced player as the fight against relegation from the Premier Soccer League. High expectations are on the new player to assist a team that lost a top performer like Monnapule Saleng midseason. They hope the new addition willbring them closer to their objective in their debut campaign.

The 29-year-old's profile has been spruced up in recent years, especially after making himself Nigeria's number one goalkeeper and gracing the two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. He left the Chilli Boys when he appeared to have outgrown the club and needed more demanding opportunities elsewhere.

The Amakhosi goalkeeping department seems to have stabilised together with the defence, making it difficult for opponents to breach the Soweto giants. That solidity at the back is expected to make the Glamour Boys strong, giving them a chance of winning at least a piece of silverware this 2025/26 season.

The Amakhosi and Bafana Bafana legend was speaking as a club ambassador at their Carling Black Label partnership launch when he dismissed suggestions that any side that beats The Brazilians to the title when the team is in turmoil will not have the right to believe they are the best team in the country.

The Soweto giants appear to be feeling the pinch of a crammed schedule as they try to balance responsibilities between domestic responsibilities and continental duties. It is something one of their coaches is now complaining about, as he suggests his players' fitness is being affected.

After coming through Amakhosi development ranks, the 32-year-old centre-back went on to forge a professional career elsewhere, passing through Chippa United, Bidvest Wits and Stellenbosch FC. Now he is back at the Soweto giants where he has turned himself into a key player and is one of the team captains.

Amakhosi face a stern test of character as they seek to prove they have what it takes to reach the knockout stages of the continental competition. They travel to Egypt knowing that a single point will be enough to secure progression to the next round. A former club winger has now made a stark prediction about their chances of getting the job done.

A scandal has shaken Chloorkop as the Brazilians brace for a swim-or-sink showdown against the Algerian giants led by their former coach. The high-stakes encounter has heightened tension around the club, with anticipation building ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested clash. For coach Miguel Cardoso, the outcome could prove decisive, with his job hanging in the balance.

The 24-year-old seems to be on his way back to top form following his impressive performances in recent games. This follows some struggle for regular game time and failing to influence games after moving to Chloorkop from Stellenbosch FC a year ago.