Sinolwetu Tompela

The 24-year-old has become one of the most talked-about talents at Chloorkop, with the second half of the season highlighting a significant improvement for the Cape Town-born midfielder. Among those impressed is former Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana, who has publicly backed him as the best midfielder in the country.

This is a season that has the Masandawana faithful counting down to the final whistle, hopeful that the Tshwane giants can still salvage success from what has largely felt like a campaign to forget. With frustrations mounting and fingers pointed at management and the coach, questions have swirled around team selections. However, Cardoso has set the record straight and firmly dismissed the allegations.

The Glamour Boys' supporters have grown increasingly restless, having initially given the co-coaches the benefit of the doubt after an early promise. Now, trust in those at the helm has worn thin. Ahead of the crucial Soweto Derby, one of Amakhosi coaches has openly stated that a victory would not only secure three points but also help appease their fans.

Both Soweto sides are heading into this clash limping, eager to recover from recent setbacks in league and Cup action. If anything can reignite their spirits and restore confidence, it’s this high-stakes Premier Soccer League showdown, and for the Buccaneers captain and his teammates, a victory over Amakhosi is a 'morale boost' in itself.

After seven months on the sidelines since joining the Soweto giants before the start of the 2025/26 season, the attacking midfielder finally made his debut, much to the delight of fans who had eagerly awaited his appearance. Living up to expectations, he has now reflected on this milestone, stressing that his first outing for the Glamour Boys is just the start.

After a disappointing week for the Sea Robbers, the much-anticipated Soweto derby, one of the biggest fixtures in the domestic calendar, will be about more than just bragging rights. The Buccaneers will be under immense pressure to respond to their back-to-back defeats, something the left winger has reassured supporters that they are ready to address with a strong performance.

The PSL big three have all exited the Nedbank Cup, shifting full focus onto the league title race. While Mamelodi Sundowns still have continental commitments, the spotlight now turns to the Soweto teams. A retired footballer believed the Glamour Boys still have a chance and that this is their opportunity to fight and be among Africa’s elite clubs.

The goal-scoring struggles continue to haunt the Mayfair side, who, within the space of a week, suffered another defeat. Saturday’s loss ended their hopes of adding another cup, forcing them to refocus solely on the league; however, Ouaddou noted that such upsets are expected in cup competitions.

Abafana Bes’thende were meant to be celebrating their progression to the quarter-finals, but their victory was clouded by controversy and lingering “what if” questions over a contentious incident. Despite his side being on the favourable end of the decision, the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor maintained that the league urgently needs VAR to keep pace with the speed of the modern game.

SAFA has faced criticism over the years for missteps that could have been avoided to elevate Mzansi football and meet professional standards. With new management in place and a promising calendar year ahead, things now seem to be slowly heading in the right direction, as the Belgian tactician has expressed confidence in the technical workshop held during the week.

The Soweto giants began the campaign on a promising note but have since fallen short in their pursuit of silverware, leaving the league title as their only realistic shot at redemption. However, their struggles in front of the goal have continued to haunt them, limiting their options and stalling momentum throughout the season. And according to the ex-Chiefs marksman, the revolving door approach in the starting XI has done more harm than good.

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.

Over the years, the buying and selling of club statuses has often been viewed as disruptive to the South African league, whether through a decline in competitiveness or bitter disputes that follow. Lately, the Dube Birds and Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have taken centre stage in the latest chapter of that ongoing debate.

The tension surrounding the much-anticipated clash escalated on match day, with further drama on the touchline. While the Tshwane giants progressed in their CAF Champions League campaign, both technical teams were involved in a heated confrontation that drew attention from officials.

The Moroccan mentor has repeatedly expressed concerns over his players’ finishing struggles in recent weeks. Even while winning their matches with convincing scorelines, Ouaddou’s warning-based statistics remain evident. Once again, the team failed to show real improvement, leaving the coach’s frustrations unaddressed.

The battle for the number one spot continues to heat up, with the Soweto side holding the advantage while Masandawana juggle their CAF Champions League commitments. The man who once starred for the Bucs has shared insights into what sets this season apart for the Mayfair side, explaining why his former team could be strong contenders to clinch the PSL title.

Since the announcement of changes to the biennial tournament, the governing body has been putting out fires, repeatedly trying to reassure stakeholders and clarify what the new era will look like for the tournament. Recently, rumours emerged again that the next edition could be postponed, owing to the unpreparedness of the host countries.

The Soweto outfits ended the week on the back foot following disappointing results in their respective Sunday morning fixtures. The Buccaneers were forced to settle for a single point, while Amakhosi suffered a heavy defeat in a five-goal encounter that compounded their struggles.