Seth Willis

The Glamour Boys are expected to have minimal movement in the forthcoming short window after the massive signings made prior to the beginning of the 2025/26 season, when they brought in 11 players to bolster their squad. While nine have made their debut, Nkanyiso Shinga and Ethan Chislett are waiting to get their chance.

The Glamour Boys have started the season quite well, having managed to stay in touch with the Premier Soccer League favourites, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. Despite their impressive run in the South African top-flight football, Amakhosi have been accused of not showing the needed hunger that will push them to titles.

South Africa are set for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations starting on Sunday with the hosts Morocco tackling Comoros. However, the 1996 winners will have to wait until Monday before playing Angola in Group B game that will be staged in Marrakesh. Hugo Broos' men have been placed in the pool alongside Egypt and Zimbabwe as well.

Under the Belgian tactician, South Africa have reclaimed their rightful place in continental football, where they are set to not only battle for the title in the biennial competition but also be part of the nine nations that acquired an automatic ticket to represent Africa in the FIFA World Cup that will be held next year.

The Glamour Boys have been rebuilding since last season after going for a decade without any major silverware across all competitions. In the ongoing campaign, the Soweto giants have been doing quite well despite having young players in their squad who are still learning to deliver in top-flight football domestically and abroad.

The Sea Robbers produced nine players for Hugo Broos' arsenal set to compete for the continental crown starting this weekend in the North African nation. It was a massive reward for Abdeslam Ouaddou's men, who have been excellent in domestic assignments where they have won two competitive trophies and one that is unofficial.

The 57-year-old, who played for Wits University Football Club and SuperSport United, has been coaching in South Africa since 2008, but will now be plying trade outside Mzansi after accepting an offer from African heavyweights. It is a massive blow for Stellies, who have been struggling to push for top positions in the country's top-flight football.

The PSL's mid-season transfer window will open in January, allowing teams to finalise deals to buy, loan out or sell players. Judging from the amount of activity we experienced during the winter window, clubs have an appetite to secure players who will help them reach their season ambitions with deals already being announced.

The Soweto giants, Bucs, have been doing well domestically, where they have already won three trophies across all competitions in the last couple of months. It explains why they produced a large number of players for the national team ahead of the biennial competition in Morocco. While the Sea Robbers' tactician is happy with his stars in national colours, he has shared his concern too.

In the absence of Mamelodi Sundowns' legendary midfielder Themba Zwane, questions have been asked about who among the two Orlando Pirates players can effectively play in the creative role behind the strikers. While a section feels Master Chef is suited for the job, others feel the 21-year-old versatile attacker should be given the opportunity.

The senior national team was excellent in the qualifiers, where they got their ticket without tasting defeat, and now they want to go all the way and win the title for the first time since their maiden one in 1996. Before the biennial competition, South Africa beat Zambia and Ghana in recent build-ups.

The two regional rivals are set to meet again on the continental platform on Monday, whereby Hugo Broos' men come into the match as favourites. In the recent five meetings across all competitions, Palancas Negras have managed three wins and two draws, while South Africa have secured three victories as well, but in the 10 meetings in all tournaments.

The defender has been excellent since his move to the Romanian heavyweights two seasons ago, winning the top tier and other domestic cups. The South Africa international has also been competing with the best in Europe, as his exploits continue to attract suitors who want to acquire his services to bolster their squads.

South Africa are set to leave the country for Morocco to take part in the biennial continental competition that will run from December 21 to January 18. A total of 24 teams will be competing for the crown, where the Belgian's men are aiming at going all the way for the first time since 1996 when they hosted it.

The former Polokwane City winger is among the players who have been in a trajectory mode this season with the Buccaneers. The tricky player made the final squad for the biennial competition with the other eight players from the Sea Robbers, who are flying high in the Premier Soccer League. He, however, was injured against the Black Galaxies.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Bronze winners played their final build-up game against the West African nation on Tuesday evening, where they laboured to a morale-boosting victory. The team will now leave for Morocco on Wednesday, December 17, with hopes of bringing glory back to Mzansi for the second time in their history.

Football lovers in the country are hopeful their team can deliver as anticipated in the forthcoming biennial competition that will be staged in North Africa. In the initial campaign in Ivory Coast, the 73-year-old Belgian tactician defied the odds to help the country finish in podium positions. It explains the high expectations in the forthcoming campaign.

The 21-year-old versatile attacker has been a factor in the Premier Soccer League, where he has consistently delivered for the Rockets, who gave him a chance following his unceremonious exit from the Glamour Boys' junior team two seasons ago. He has been linked with several top teams in the country and abroad.