Khothatso Leballo

The 24-year-old has rediscovered his top form, staking a strong claim for a return to regular national team call-ups like in the past, and he has opened up on his rejuvenation. Now firmly re-established as a key figure for the Brazilians, with just three months to go to the global football tournament.

Although he is yet to rediscover his best form, the 28-year-old has already made his presence felt in the Masandawana dressing room. He has shaken off a nagging thigh injury and is showing he has adapted to the Portuguese coach’s system of play.

The Nigeria international has not played competitive football since September 2024. After completing his move to the Maroons in February, he has been forced to wait longer than expected to make his maiden appearance. His continued absence from matchday squads has now been clarified.

The Buccaneers lack a forward genuinely challenging for the Premier Soccer League Golden Boot, but there is still room for improvement in attack. A former Soweto giants star has opened up on how the coach is dealing with his underperforming frontrunners. He feels a sharper output up front remains a pressing need.

After a promising but not entirely convincing start to the season, the Soweto giants have since slipped to worrying lows in the Premier Soccer League. Their dip in form has dragged them into an uncomfortable fifth position on the table, leaving them facing the real danger of missing out on continental football and even a spot in the MTN8 next season.

The Soweto giants last lifted the Premier Soccer League title in 2012, a long drought that now heaps pressure on them to reclaim South Africa's domestic football's ultimate prize. They find themselves locked in a fierce tussle with Masandawana, who have dominated the league by winning it for the past eight consecutive seasons. A former Bafana Bafana forward has now weighed in on this brutal title race, adding his voice to the growing title race debate.

The battle for the Premier Soccer League crown has turned into a brutal duel between the Buccaneers and Masandawana. With the margins so tight, the closeness of the race is setting up a dramatic photo finish to the season.

Amakhosi players’ continued exclusion from the national team reflects how standards have dropped at Naturena. A former Buccaneers star has not minced his words, insisting the Glamour Boys currently do not have players deserving of a place in the squad. He believes the situation highlights just how far the club has fallen from the level expected of a team of its stature.

The Buccaneers coach was expected to show frustration at the opponent’s goalkeeper for denying the Soweto giants a chance to widen their lead in the Premier Soccer League. Instead, the former Marumo Gallants tactician praised the custodian for his heroic performance. In a moment of admiration, he described the goalkeeper’s display by offering one of the most spiritual applauses for the match-saving efforts.

The Glamour Boys are under incredible pressure to turn the tide after four consecutive losses. Against the Premier Soccer League debutants, they enjoy a home advantage, but playing in front of their fans will put them under more pressure. Another loss, or even a draw, will only act to jeopardise their position, with more ground ceded in the league's title race.

The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns coach had been going through what appeared to be a difficult spell in Algeria. His time at the capital city club ends less than 24 hours after he guided them to a 2-0 league victory over Paradou AC that put them five points clear at the top of the Algerian Ligue 1 with several games in hand. The sudden exit adds another twist to what had already been a turbulent period for the tactician.

The 27-year-old has struggled to make a meaningful impact since arriving at the Soweto giants. His lack of game-changing performances has also weakened his chances of forcing his way back into the Bafana Bafana setup. Now, he speaks about his time at the Amakhosi nearing its end.

Masandawana are the only Premier Soccer League side left juggling both domestic and continental commitments this season. After missing out on three major trophies so far, the Tshwane giants face the risk of ending the campaign empty-handed, and at the same time, they could still turn their season around by finishing with two pieces of silverware.

GOAL gives you the details to follow the Soweto giants' second consecutive Premier Soccer League home match, and this time they host Bloemfontein-based opponents at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. The target remains the same for Pirates to protect their lead on a weekend when their closest league rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns, are focusing on a CAF Champions League assignment.

The veteran midfielder remains one player the South Africa national football team could need at the global football tournament if he rediscovers his authority in the middle of the park. Currently used sparingly by Masandawana, he has yet to reach the top form that made him a dominant force in midfield. That has created anticipation over whether he can rise again and reclaim the midfield-king status he once enjoyed.

The Soweto giants are in crisis as a string of poor results mounts pressure on the team. Much of the blame has fallen on the co-coaches, who have come under intense scrutiny from supporters and pundits alike. One of the coaches has now responded to what club management expects from them during this difficult period.

The Brazilians would be hoping the knockouts of this continental competition will not be as difficult as the group stage, where they went for a four-match winless streak at some point. It is a fresh chapter of this season's campaign as they bid to improve on last term's run, where they ended up as the losing finalists.

The Soweto giants are desperate to arrest the crisis that has rocked the club and restore some confidence among their supporters. They welcome visitors from KwaZulu-Natal in what promises to be a tense and demanding encounter. Their opponents are pushing for a top-four finish, making them a tricky side for Amakhosi and determined to leave with a positive result.