Khothatso Leballo

The Buccaneers began the year at the summit of the Premier Soccer League standings but have since been dislodged by Mamelodi Sundowns, who now hold a slender lead. Despite losing top spot, the Soweto giants remain firmly in the title race and are gearing up to resume their challenge. Attention now shifts to this weekend as the Soweto giants return to league action and their Moroccan coach could hand competitive debuts to some of the club’s new signings when they face Sekhukhune United on Saturday.

Since leaving Amakhosi in August 2023, the left winger has signed for four different clubs as he continues to battle for stability in his career. His move to the Bloemfontein-based outfit is seen as an opportunity to relaunch his game and finally realise the potential he showed early on. He is a player who previously had stints in Portugal and Lithuania, where he once looked destined to become a big name in South African football.

Amakhosi have signed just one player so far in the January transfer window, with the recruit arriving at Naturena on loan from Cape Town City and set to feature for the DStv Diski Challenge side. This means the Soweto giants are yet to make any new additions to their first-team squad despite the open window. A retired footballer has weighed in to outline what he believes should be Amakhosi’s key transfer priorities.

The Buccaneers forward delivered a statement performance on his maiden appearance for the Cape Winelands club. His crucial contribution in the Maroons' shirt on his first game is likely to spark debate about whether the Soweto giants made a mistake in releasing him to spend the rest of the season away from the club.

This current PSL transfer window has seen Premier Soccer League title contenders Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United busy signing players. But Amakhosi have been quiet in the market as their rivals beefed up and they have, however, secured an unheralded player.

The winger completed a surprise move to the Brazilians from the Soweto giants, catching many off guard, including Masandawana players and Orbit College FC where he was on loan. The transfer was finalised while Orbit College heavily relied on him as a key figure in the team in their bid to maintain their Premier Soccer League status for next season. However, he will have to wait a bit longer before making his Masandawana debut.

The 19-year-old burst onto the big stage impressively and has underlined Masandawana’s depth at left-back. His presence and performances could pose a huge challenge to more established players, including Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ first-choice option and Divine Lunga. With Fawaaz Basadien and Asekho Tiwani also in the mix, competition for a regular place in that position is set to intensify at Chloorkop.

The Tshwane giants bounced back to winning ways and reclaimed Premier Soccer League top spot right on their return from the 2025 AFCON break with a result stating their intentions in their bid for a ninth straight title. Their Portuguese coach started what looked like a second-string side before throwing in familiar names in the second half. But they still managed to see off the challenge of their visitors from Limpopo.

The Soweto giants have been enduring contrasting fortunes this season, with Amakhosi part of the chasing pack in the Premier Soccer League title race. They are trailing their traditional rivals, who are touted as one of the favourites to be crowned PSL champions. A defender with first-hand experience playing for both teams has explained the gap between the two clubs, pointing to key differences.

The Soweto giants have concluded a partnership with a club from their neighbouring country. The move has attracted so many reactions from football fans, most of them mocking the agreement between the two teams. Questions have been raised about what the Soweto giants will benefit from the relationship.

The Brazilians are back from the 2025 AFCON break and resume their bid to win the Premier Soccer League title when they host Mswenko Boys at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Monday. Starting the year part of the chasing pack seeking to dislodge Orlando Pirates from the top of the table, Masandawana need nothing short of victory in their backyard amid some pressure on coach Miguel Cardoso.

The experienced coach has been without a job for the past year since leaving his position at Esteghlal FC in the Iranian Pro League. During his time unattached, he has been linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs and, more recently, a possible return to Chloorkop. The coach himself has admitted that several clubs have approached him, but none of the offers met his expectations.

GOAL gives you the details to follow the Teranga Lions' clash with the Atlas Lions at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Sunday. This is a deciding match of this continental competition between teams that have each been crowned African champions once before. A lot is at stake in Rabat on Sunday with the hosts out to avoid humiliation on home soil while the West Africans would be keen to cause an upset.

The experienced coach is now at the helm of the Cape Winelands side after parting ways with Durban City midway through the 2025/26 season. He joins a team that often competes for the Premier Soccer League title despite having a modest squad and being a selling club losing key players to big clubs. The Maroons job comes with expectations maintain the standards created by his predecessor.

The 33-year-old returns to the Western Cape after being with the Brazilians since August 2018 for a trophy-laden spell at Chloorkop. He had been rumoured to be on his way out of Masandawana in the past two seasons, but managed to stay longer. Now he moves to the Cape Winelands, eager to earn some game time under one of the Premier Soccer League's experienced coaches.

GOAL gives you the details to follow the Pharaohs and Super Eagles' third-place clash at Stade Mohamed V on Saturday. Both teams failed to reach the final and they are now embroiled in the fight for bronze to salvage some respect after they were touted as tournament favourites. None would want to lose a second successive match at this tournament.

Transfer activity has picked up in the Premier Soccer League as well as overseas, with several moves already capturing the attention of South African football followers. Players have been switching clubs both locally and abroad and more transfers are expected to be finalised in the coming days as clubs continue to reshape their squads.

The Soweto giants have been loaning a number of reserve team players to local clubs as well as teams outside South Africa to get valuable first-team experience. This has drawn attention from supporters, with some questioning the overall quality of talent coming through the ranks at Naturena.