Sthembiso Nkabinde

The Buccaneers are desperate to end their lengthy Premier Soccer League [PSL] title drought, and this season, it appears they have a golden opportunity. The Soweto giants are currently in the driver’s seat as far as the title race is concerned, and they have it all in their hands to ensure they finish at the top. 

The Soweto giants are hoping to mount a serious challenge for the Premier Soccer League title this season under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. They might have started the league campaign on a poor note with back-to-back defeats, but they have since come good and look like a team prepared to go the distance.

It was almost the perfect weekend for Mzansi sides in continental football. Mamelodi Sundowns were in CAF Champions League action on Saturday, while Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs did duty in the Confederation Cup on Sunday. Downs, although slightly underwhelming, managed to beat Orlando Pirates slayers Saint Eloi-Lupopo at home. Stellies, meanwhile, left it late to see off Otoho d’Oyo. It was then over to Amakhosi to ensure South African teams completed a perfect outing in the CAF interclub competition, but they disappointed.

There’s no doubt, Mzansi football is on the up. One just needs to take one look at the performances of Bafana Bafana over the last few years. Since Hugo Broos took charge, the national team has improved significantly, and the recent nominations of SA players at the CAF Awards were a testament to that fact. 

Every time the celebrated South African tactician takes on a new responsibility, he moves further away from the ‘dream’ union with one of Mzansi’s most famous clubs - Chiefs. If you ask just about any Chiefs fan who is the man they would prefer to occupy the hot seat, the most common answer would be none other than Mosimane.

The Bafana Bafana coach has previously revealed that he knows approximately 75-80% of his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco. This means that there are some players who have not been Bafana regulars over the past few months who stand a chance of making the final squad.

When the Buccaneers announced the Moroccan tactician as Jose Riveiro’s successor at the beginning of the season, many were left unconvinced. The lanky former defender had big shoes to fill, replacing a man who had won the hearts of the ‘Happy People’ after bringing much-craved success.

The Brazilians have been miles ahead of their rivals in the Premier Soccer League [PSL] over the past eight seasons, leaving them chasing shadows. The Tshwane giants’ dominance started under the tutelage of Pitso “Jingles” Mosimane - the club’s most successful coach - who led them to five league titles.

South African teams were in action this weekend in the second leg of the preliminary rounds of both the Champions League and the Confederation Cup. Pirates and Sundowns did action in the continent’s premier competition - the CAF Champions League - while Chiefs and Stellies were playing in the Confederation Cup.

A few weeks ago, Bafana were strong favourites to top Group C and book their spot in the global showpiece set to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. How things have changed. From a position of strength, Hugo Broos’ charges now find themselves in a precarious situation where they need favours from others.

After a brilliant start to the season, which saw Amakhosi win four of their first five Premier Soccer League matches, it appears things are now taking a turn for the worse at Naturena. Chiefs started the current campaign on a high note, with some even dreaming of a potential title charge, but that now looks like a tall order for Amakhosi.

The relationship between Kaizer Chiefs and their head coach, Nasreddine Nabi, appears to be over, although the club has yet to make this official. The Tunisian coach is on the verge of mutually parting ways with Amakhosi following a lack of trust between the two parties and licensing issues.

After a surprisingly positive start from Kaizer Chiefs at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, it now seems like the Soweto giants are fast running out of steam. The Glamour Boys were quick out of the blocks, winning four of their first five matches as they looked as though they would mount a title challenge.

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam has made all of his doubters eat humble pie after delivering a trophy for the Buccaneers in his maiden campaign. There were plenty of sceptics when the Moroccan took over the reins from Spanish coach Jose Riveiro, who had enjoyed plenty of success with the Sea Robbers.

The 27-year-old forward is now in South Africa and might be a surprise package when the Soweto giants resume their Premier Soccer League campaign.

South Africa are within touching distance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but an acid test awaits them as they prepare to face Nigeria.

Kaizer Chiefs are enjoying a surprisingly solid start to the season, and many skeptics are wondering how long that will last.

The future of Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is back at risk after his side was dumped out of the MTN8 by Orlando Pirates.