Seth Willis

The two Moroccan heavyweights played against each other on Wednesday night at the Mohammed V Stadium in the top tier. Either side could have gone top of the table with maximum points, but chances went begging with both teams failing to get the ball in the back of the net.

The senior national team will be competing with the best in Africa and in the world at large over the next year. In late December, South Africa will be chasing the continental crown in Morocco before facing the best in the prestigious global competition to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Buccaneers' faithful feel their team is ready to dominate the South African football scene owing to the quality within their squad and reaching yet another cup semi final this week. However, they have been advised things might not go as anticipated since the Sea Robbers are still working on their combinations and players who can deliver consistently.

The 32-year-old has been excellent in North Arica, where he is turning out for Red Castle, who made his move from Mamelodi Sundowns permanent. He has, however, been overlooked by the South Africa technical team ahead of the forthcoming international break, where they will play friendly games in preparation for the 2025 AFCON finals.

The new season launched in early August and clubs are officially or unofficially revealing their new kits with a wave of newly unveiled third kits coming in October.

The Sea Robbers were on top of their game in the midweek assignment against Dikwena Tsa Meetse in the annual domestic competition staged at the Orlando Stadium. They are aiming to go all the way to glory after their initial MTN8 triumph a couple of months ago, and after their elimination from the CAF Inter-club elimination, the main focus is on the local competitions.

The Belgian tactician has started preparations for the biennial continental competition to be played in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. The 73-year-old named his preliminary squad for the forthcoming international break in November, where he is expected to try some tactics and have a look at some new call-ups in his bid to expand the team's depth.

The Buccaneers came into the match hoping for nothing but a win to push them to the next phase of the annual competition after a disappointing weekend that saw them get knocked out of the CAF Champions League by St Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The victory against Dikwena Tsa Meetse was all the Soweto giants needed.

The Soweto giants are coming up against the defending champions on Tuesday in the last eight fixture that will be staged at the Orlando Stadium. The Sea Robbers were eliminated by the Dikwena Tsa Meetse in the 2024/25 edition, explaining why the mid-week fixture will be exciting. A recent CAF Champions League defeat will be a motivation for the home team.

The 29-year-old Bafana Bafana international is one of the talented players from Mzansi, but now playing trade in Tanzania with Wekundu wa Msimbazi. The experienced midfielder has established himself at his new club in East Africa, where he has been vital in the final third. He has further discussed the interest from the Soweto giants in his services.

The Glamour Boys have three established players who are tasked with the responsibility of taking the many chances the team create, especially from open play. All three forwards were signed by the Soweto giants in the last South African winter transfer window in the bid to strengthen the attacking department that had struggled to score in previous seasons.

The Glamour Boys are set for another assignment on Sunday as they host AS Simba in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup's second preliminary round to be staged at the Dobsnville Stadium. The initial meeting at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi ended goalless, meaning a win of any kind for Amakhosi will send them to the Group Stage.

The Buccaneers were hard done by on Saturday afternoon as they were eliminated by St Eloi Lupopo from the CAF Champions League. They fought from a 3-0 loss in the first leg of the final preliminary round to a 3-3 aggregate draw before eventually bowing out 5-4 in the penalty shootout.

The Buccaneers fought from three goals down conceded in the first leg in Lubumbashi against the Congolese outfit at the Orlando Stadium to send the game to penalties. However, the Railmen emerged victorious in the shootout to progress to the next round of the annual CAF inter-club competition.

The Soweto giants come into the match against the Democratic Republic of Congo outfit with a host of injuries to key players. The initial meeting at TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi ended goalless, giving both teams an opportunity to grab the ticket to advance to the next phase of the annual CAF inter-club competition.

The veteran midfielder was a rock for the Buccaneers last season, owing to his displays across all competitions. However, he has been out injured, which has prevented him from making any appearance across all competitions. The Soweto giants have now shared the latest on the 35-year-old.

The Belgian tactician is concerned that the Sea Robbers' winger has not been at his best since the reported move abroad did not materialise. The 73-year-old is concerned with the well-being of the player who is regarded as the future of South African football, alongside other cropping youngsters.

The Brazilians have been criticised when they putting below-par standards owing to the quality within their squad, which is made up of experienced members. The former Esperance coach insists it is not the right way to gauge the team since their rivals seem to get a soft landing.