Sinolwetu Tompela

Amakhosi are on their next mission to remind the football community that they, too, belong among Africa’s giants as they prepare to travel to face Al Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages on Sunday. The 29-year-old centre-back confidently stated that Chiefs will show they are a big team in this campaign, backed by the hard work and intensity of their current preparations.

The Soweto giants played a role in raising awareness on a critical medical issue that reportedly affects around 4.2 million South Africans. The Buccaneers participated in World Diabetes Day, during which assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi also took a moment to brief the media on the upcoming Carling Knockout Cup, set to take place on December 6 against Marumo Gallants.

The South African men’s senior national team took things to the next level over the past weekend, defeating Zambia 3–1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in a friendly encounter. Courtesy of goals from Oswin Appolis, Mohau Nkota, and Sphephelo Sithole sealed an impressive outing — a performance that left most of the home crowd happy and eager for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. However, for the man at the helm, there remains room for improvement within the squad he will take to the prestigious competition. This leaves him with a selection dilemma: having to drop some players while entrusting others to rise to the challenge.

The 30-year-old defender has stressed that the team is determined to follow Hugo Broos’ directives to the letter in their upcoming friendly against Zambia. Sibisi emphasised that every player understands the importance of the fixture, despite it being labeled a friendly, and that there is no room for complacency. The South African senior men’s team is focused on building momentum, sharpening their tactics, and taking decisive steps forward as they prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

The 29-year-old forward has once again been left out of coach Hugo Broos’ final squad for the clash against Zambia on Saturday afternoon at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Despite consistently making his presence felt whenever he dons the Soweto giants’ jersey, the Belgian coach appears reluctant to place his trust in him. The repeated snubs have understandably left the striker frustrated, as he openly expresses the pain of being overlooked.

Tension is brewing in South African football circles as Black Leopards boss David Thidiela finds himself at the heart of a storm. In a fiery interview that sent shockwaves across the local game, Thidiela didn’t hold back — taking direct aim at the Premier Soccer League chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza, whom he branded a “dictator.”

Mabviravira have made history in Zimbabwe in their maiden season in the top flight, becoming the first team in 41 years to achieve such a feat. The club enjoyed an impressive campaign, winning 17 games, drawing 10, and losing just five across 32 matches. Their remarkable performance earned them a reward of millions of rands from businessman Wicknell Chivhayo.

Mshishi has been sidelined due to an injury, causing him to miss several crucial Masandawana matches. While his leadership was certainly missed, the players who stepped in rose to the occasion, leaving the Tembisa-born midfielder pleased with his teammates’ performances. He remains confident that he still has what it takes to mount a strong challenge and reclaim his spot in the starting lineup.

The South African senior men’s national team is set to host Zambia in an international friendly on Saturday afternoon at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The Belgian manager will be expecting nothing less than a convincing performance from his side, who are brimming with confidence after recently securing qualification for the FIFA World Cup. With the Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching in December, Bafana will be eager to maintain their momentum and correct the mistakes of their previous campaign, where they fell short in the semi-finals after a penalty shootout defeat to Nigeria.

The 20-year-old has been nothing short of a breath of fresh air in Mzansi football, taking everyone by surprise with his rapid rise in such a short span of his professional career. Mbokazi has continued to display remarkable composure and fearlessness — not only for the Soweto giants but also in his appearances for the South African men’s national team, where his commanding presence and confident communication have earned him the admiration of his teammates.

The Soweto giants were drawn in Group D in the continental competition alongside two-time champions Zamalek SC, Al Masry, and ZESCO United. The draw took place on Monday afternoon in Randburg. A Chiefs official has reacted to the draw, indicating that they will be on a revenge mission.

Arrows have recently captured the supporters’ attention with a notable upturn in attacking form, netting more than ten goals across their last five matches. This scoring surge is hardly surprising, given the wealth of experience their coach brings to the helm. However, there remains significant work to be done in tightening the defence, as the number of goals conceded highlights the areas that still need improvement. It is this context that explains why Mngqithi describes the team’s humble start to the season as a ‘building phase’.

Over the past few Premier Soccer League seasons, the Soweto giants have struggled to find a consistent and reliable figure between the posts. Goalkeeping has arguably been their second major weakness, right after the striking department. However, with just over ten league matches played, the 31-year-old has stepped up impressively. Although he insists that personal accolades and statistics are not his main focus at the moment.

The Brazilians will approach one of their most highly anticipated games without a key figure in their squad, as the 28-year-old is set to miss the match after picking up his fourth yellow card. The caution came in the dying minutes of the Carling Knockout Cup clash against Marumo Gallants, a moment that has forced the coach to rethink his options.

The Soweto giants have made their intentions clear — exploring possibilities to make their way back to Dobsonville Stadium. This comes as no surprise following the impressive fan turnout during their recent continental fixture at the South Western Township venue. However, questions remain over whether the facilities meet the necessary standards to regularly host top-flight matches.

Masandawana are often accused of ‘killing the competition’ by hoovering up the best talent their money can buy. However, highlighted by Cardoso, the latest batch of new signings like Fawaaz Basadien, Katlego ‘Tsiki’ Ntsabeleng, and Asekho Tiwani are still to prove themselves worthy at the reigning champions.

Orlando Pirates will welcome defending champions Magesi FC to Orlando Stadium, with plenty on the line for the Soweto giants. The Buccaneers are eager to restore faith among their supporters after falling short in the CAF Champions League preliminary round — a thrilling 3(4)-3(5) encounter against FC Saint Eloi Lupopo that dashed their continental aspirations. Now, with their focus back on domestic fronts, the Sea Robbers will be determined to chase silverware through the Premier Soccer League and the Carling Black Label Cup, aiming to remind fans that their hunger for success remains as fierce as ever.

After two weeks away from the pitch, Rayners is finally back in training. The 29-year-old suffered a medical scare that could have derailed his career; however, according to Miguel Cardoso, the issue was detected and addressed in time, allowing him to make a safe return.