Sinolwetu Tompela

Following an unexpected but amicable parting between the Sea Robbers and the Nigerian defender, many questions arose about the reasons behind the decision, while many eagerly awaited to see where the centre-back would head next.

The former Leeds United star has recently emerged as a potential candidate to lead the South African Football Association. The 56-year-old has not formally confirmed any interest in the role. However, he has been vocal about the changes needed in Mzansi football and praised Bafana's current state.

The Brazilians narrowly beat Gomora United to keep their Nedbank Cup hopes alive, providing a timely boost for Cardoso after days of mounting pressure and supporter criticism. While the victory was the highlight of the night, the 53-year-old also revealed that a suspicious photo had landed in his hands, reiterating the need for VAR in the domestic league as a way to safeguard the integrity of the game.

Trouble continues to build at Chloorkop, unsettling a fanbase that once knew nothing but dominance and trophies. A club that ruled South African football and consistently pushed the limits now finds itself stuck in a worrying decline. As uncertainty grows and pressure mounts, the former Liberian international has stepped forward to point out what he believes is the real cause of the slump and to suggest a clear way forward.

The Buccaneers faithful have witnessed the value of having a game in hand. After the Mayfair-based side was ridiculed and tipped to drop points following their opening fixture, the Soweto outfit responded emphatically on Saturday evening, producing a commanding display to secure a convincing three points.

The Soweto giants face a crucial encounter that could send a strong message in their continental return. Having struggled against this opponent in the past, securing two victories would mark a significant step forward in their campaign.

The Sea Robbers reasserted their dominance after beginning the year with a setback, as a ruthless display against Dikwena tša Meetse reignited their Premier Soccer League title ambitions. Despite unsettling Bucs supporters by releasing trusted defenders in a single transfer window, the backline has shown no signs of weakness under Ouaddou, who instead highlighted his side’s failure to fully capitalise on their chances in front of goal.

Amakhosi will welcome the Zambian outfit to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in a much-anticipated encounter that promises to be one for the books. The hosts will be eager to complete a double over Team Ya Ziko and maintain their momentum, while the visitors arrive wounded after falling short at home and are desperate to secure their first win in Group D.

With a demanding schedule facing the Pretoria-based side, Masandawana coach Miguel Cardoso has had the opportunity to dig deep into his squad—an approach that saw a Bafana Bafana centre-back make his first appearance for the Brazilians in their mid-week clash against Sekhukhune United.

The current campaign for the Soweto giants has shown significant improvement. After ending their trophy drought last season—a success that marked a new dawn for Amakhosi, their league form had been below par, finishing last season only two points higher than where they are now halfway through this campaign. According to co-coach Kaze, the team’s performance this season represents a notable step forward.

After a long-awaited inclusion, the 23-year-old playmaker finally made his Kaizer Chiefs debut just before the Africa Cup of Nations break, slotting in seamlessly and making his presence felt immediately. For Velebayi, however, the road to that moment was mentally challenging — a true test of patience and resilience.

After a shaky start earlier in the week, Babina Noko held the Sea Robbers to a goalless draw on Saturday - a performance that earned praise from the 55-year-old tactician. However, he also flagged concerns over the team’s consistency.

Amakhosi make the trip to Zambia knowing there is no room for error as they look to revive their continental campaign and keep their hopes alive. The Soweto giants are staring at a must-win scenario, but the task ahead is far from straightforward. They will need to produce a disciplined, all-round performance to outmuscle a home side that is equally desperate for points and strengthened by a dominant record in previous meetings.

The Western Cape team picked up crucial points on Tuesday evening with a victory over Sekhukhune United on their home turf, slowly moving themselves out of the relegation danger zone. The result marked former Kaizer Chiefs coach's first win in charge and a positive start to his tenure, although he was quick to raise fitness concerns regarding the players from Tshwane.

Following the strong statement by Amakhosi football manager Bobby Motaung in recent weeks that the Soweto side had no intentions of signing new players, the surprising announcement of Cape Town City player Xhosa Manyana joining the Naturena-based team raised eyebrows. However, the club has since come forward to explain the reason behind the new acquisition.

The Citizens have introduced new additions to the KwaZulu-Natal team on a loan from Babina Noko, aiming to inject new energy into their attack. With the team hoping to make an impression of finishing inside the top eight, all eyes will be on the duo to see if they can hit the ground running and help Sinethemba Badela' side to make a statement in Mzansi’s top flight.

The former Orlando Pirates coach has gone on to create history beyond Mzansi borders, with the 39-year-old tactician once again underlining his pedigree. Having already shown his capability during his spells at Mayfair and Chloorkop, the latest cup triumph with his current side came as no surprise to Pitso Mosimane, who had long foreseen Mokwena’s success and publicly backed him when he appointed him as his assistant at Sundowns.

Following the unexpected announcement by the Confederation of African Football a month ago that the Africa Cup of Nations will be staged every four years from 2028, the football fraternity was left with questions, with some publicly criticising the decision and alleging European influence. However, the Masandawana owner has moved to clear the air, firmly denying any involvement from the Western World.