Seth Willis

The 53-year-old former Esperance tactician is seemingly getting it right at Masandawana after a heavy storm in the initial games. After just two outings in five days across all competitions, the Brazilians are in the CAF Champions League quarter-final and are now just three points behind the Buccaneers in the Premier Soccer League title race with a game in hand.

The Soweto giants hosted the Brazilians at the iconic FNB Stadium on Wednesday night in the Premier Soccer League outing. However, despite coming into the game as favourites, the Sea Robbers failed to take their chances and were eventually punished 2-1. The result reduced the gap between the teams to just three points.

The two South African heavyweights met on Wednesday night at the FNB Stadium, with each desperate for maximum points in their quest to win the league crown. It was a massive fixture that could have handed the Soweto giants a nine-point advantage ahead of the defending champions. For Masandawana, this was an opportunity to prove their quality.

The Sea Robbers and the Brazilians are locked into a tight race for the 2025/26 South African top-flight crown. The Soweto giants are currently enjoying a slight advantage thanks to their consistency in the domestic competitions, where they have already won two tournaments. The Buccaneers last won the league more than a decade ago.

The former Manchester United striker's coach is expected to be at the helm as the East African nation competes in Africa's biennial competition. However, the legendary Mzansi striker has to get his tactics on point for Kenya, who will co-host the tournament alongside Tanzania and Uganda in the next year or so.

The Premier Soccer League newbies have been unstable, especially in the technical team, where they have been making frequent changes. The South African top-tier outfit are currently without a head coach owing to the recent decision to part ways with the ex-Chippa United tactician after just three weeks in charge.

South African football fans will be focusing on an exciting Premier Soccer League outing between log leaders Buccaneers who will be hosting the defending champions at FNB Stadium. A win for Abdeslam Ouaddou's side will extend the gap between the two teams to nine points. Currently, the Soweto giants have a six-point advantage over second-placed Masandawana.

The Super Eagles defender had been tipped to leave the Premier Soccer League following his exit from the Buccaneers. The 28-year-old was linked with a move to North Africa as well as the Middle East, before his move to the Cape Winelands side was confirmed. It is a massive boost for the centre-back who was desperate for play time.

The two giants clash in a high-stakes encounter as the race for the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League title gathers serious momentum. With the championship battle tightening, neither side can afford a slip that could derail their ambitions. Every point is crucial as both teams push to secure a place on the podium at season’s end.

The Super Eagles star ended his association with the Buccaneers a couple of weeks ago on mutual consent. Initially, there were reports that the experienced centre-back was on his way to the Middle East, but his agent played down the heavy speculation. The towering defender will now remain in Mzansi!

The defending Premier Soccer League champions are the only team from South Africa still in CAF inter-club competitions after Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch's elimination. The Brazilians hope to go all the way in the ongoing campaign of Africa's premier club competition after reaching the final in the previous edition, but fell to Pyramids from Egypt.

The Sea Robbers have been consistent under the former Morocco international defender who took over at the start of the season from Spaniard Jose Riveiro. After securing the MTN8 and Carling Knockout, the Soweto giants are chasing the remaining two crowns. It explains why it might be hard for other players to be introduced.

The two top dogs in South African top-flight football are set to meet in the midweek clash, with each hoping for maximum points. The fixture presents a massive opportunity for Abdeslam Ouaddou's men to extend their gap on top of the PSL table as the Brazilians are desperately trying to put their actions together.

The experienced midfielder has seen it all in the years he has played in South African top-flight football, where he represented top teams including Masandawana, Babina Noko, and the Sea Robbers. He is close to signing for another top team in Mzansi football who are at risk of dropping into the second tier.

The Buccaneers are among the teams in South Africa's top tier with massive depth, owing to the signings they made in the last two transfer windows. While the ex-Premier League defender has tried to balance the squad, he promises it will not be about leniency. The Moroccan will reward individuals for their commitments.

After engaging in the Nedbank Cup campaign, teams turned their focus to the Premier Soccer League campaign. Orlando Pirates widened the gap at the top with a win over Marumo Gallants, while Babina Noko's result affected Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns, who were focused on their respective CAF campaigns. At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is heating up.

The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress. For the White Knight, the only option was to secure maximum points to be sure of advancing as pool winners regardless of the outcome between Al Masry and ZESCO United.

It was a game of intense tension for both teams and their supporters, since neither could afford defeat in their bid to make the knockout phase. The Brazilians needed maximum points to make the last eight, while the People's Club could afford a draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium thanks to the recent results in Group C.