The Bafana Bafana star left Amakhosi for their PSL rivals, and now the move has been described as a mistake on the part of the Glamour Boys. After just one season with his current club, he is tipped to be the next top defender for the national team.
South Africa will be part of the global competition once again for the first time since 2010, when they hosted it. However, this achievement came against some odds, as Mzansi were faced with what appeared like an insurmountable challenge, which, in the end, they overcame.
The Spaniard left the Sea Robbers after three years, and the club's skipper says it was a good decision for both parties. Although he has been described as a tired figure by the end of last season, he went on to coach African giants Al Ahly straight away after leaving the Bucs, which saw him getting sacked after just seven games in charge.
Although he did not earn a direct call-up to Bafana, after filling in for the injured Maswanganyi, Mbule went on and featured in the crucial qualifiers that South Africa needed to win. His determination to grab his 'second chance' has been lauded by his coach, who has challenged him to keep working hard ahead of future international assignments.
The Buccaneers have a CAF Champions League trip to Lubumbashi and it is familiar territory for their coach Abdeslam Ouaddou who previously coached their rivals AS Vita in the Linafoot league. The Chilli Boys coach, who was at the helm of Lupopo last season, has given the Soweto giants a further look at what they will face when the walk out on the pitch at Stade Kibassa Maliba.
The veteran tactician has hinted he might not consider any other coaching offer after reaching several milestones with South Africa in both the continent and the world at large. The former Cameroon coach has been at the helm of the national team since May 2021, when he replaced Molefi Ntseki, who had failed to deliver the set objectives.
The 73-year-old has been a rock in Mzansi football, where he has ensured the national team gets back to its rightful place, not only on the continent but the world at large. He has explained how he had to give his best to get players with the right attitude to represent the country and ensure they deliver consistently across all competitions.
South Africa are heading to the USA/Canada and Mexico after booking a ticket to participate in the global tournament. Since participating as hosts in the 2010 World Cup, South Africa have not qualified for this competition. However, they have now managed to earn a spot through a challenging campaign, which included having three points docked by FIFA.
South Africa are among the teams that have sealed their World Cup ticket thanks to their healthy win over Amavubi in the midweek outing, coupled with the Super Eagles' victory over the Cheetahs in Uyo. This is the first time since 2010 that Mzansi will be rubbing shoulders with the best in the global competition to be played next year.
The new signing has been tipped to shine even more when he fully settles at the Chloorkop-based heavyweights. However, the midfielder's good start with his new club comes at a time when Masandawana are shaky and have just been eliminated from another competition.
The Sea Robbers defender has been described as a shy figure and one who barely speaks for himself. However, his story on the pitch is different; he is an imposing figure who has become a dominant player for both the club and Bafana Bafana.
The former Polokwane City star had been linked with PSL heavyweights, but he ended up signing for the Sea Robbers. Amakhosi's former star now explains why a move to Naturena would not have worked for the winger.
One of the most scrutinised departments in the Buccaneers squad is their strikeforce where two forwards headline their line-up. However, with the Soweto giants on an eight-match winning streak without conceding a goal, their misfiring strikers are exonerated from criticism.
The Warriors were determined to stop Hugo Broos' men from getting maximum points in the recent meeting. The COSAFA rivals met in Durban, but it was the visitors who came with hopes of getting maximum points to keep alive their hope of competing with the best in the world. The hosts had already been eliminated and stood no chance of making it to the summit.
The Tshwane giants are far from what they have been associated with before: a lethal force that dismantled opponents with ease. Their dream of winning more titles this season was dealt a huge blow after elimination from the Carling Knockout Cup and MTN8.
After being frustrated by the Warriors, Bafana's hopes now largely depend on the results from Nigeria and Benin. The Super Eagles will host their West African counterparts in a match that carries a lot of stakes in determining the winner of the group.
Although he was heavily linked with Amakhosi, the former Mamelodi Sundowns star ended up signing for Buccaneers. The Bafana midfielder has gone on to stamp authority in Bucs' first team despite the competition for starting berths in the team.
Despite his tender age, the youngster has been a rock for both the Buccaneers and the country, delivering consistently regardless of the opponent he is playing against. His physique and pace have been his main strengths, attributes that have made critics allege the dependable Bucs assistant skipper might not be twenty as indicated by the Sea Robbers.
The experienced goalkeeper has joined a growing list of players from Masandawana who have found homes at the lower league club. His place in the squad that will head to the AFCON finals is now doubtful, given that he is also injured.
The former Cameroon coach was forced to make another change to his squad after another key player was ruled out. To fill the gap, the tactician considered the Sea Robber, whom he believes is up to the task.
The former defender has compared the PSL's Big Three and said the Glamour Boys have some ground to cover in order to be at the same level with the other two. Amakhosi and Bucs started the season on different trajectories, but the fortunes have flipped as the former struggle and the latter are enjoying a positive run.
The 20-year-old player has made himself one of the best defenders in the Premier Soccer League, but a South African football legend Andries Mpondo feels the Buccaneers starlet should be moved up the pitch into midfield. The former Moroka Swallows midfielder's views have sparked some debate.
The Hluhluwe-born defender has been on a rapid rise since making his professional football debut in March. He has established himself as an important player for both club and country. But a former footballer is convinced that the Buccaneers and Bafana Bafana central defender is not being fully utilised.
The duo are understood to be among many trainees who have enrolled for the course that is expected to run for more than one week. The Masandawana chair already possesses a CAF D licence, which he trained for over two years ago.
Amajita reached the knockout phase of the global tournament for the second time following their win over the Young Stars and Stripes. First-half goals were enough to earn the Southern African side the win.
It is now down to eight teams in the Beer Cup after heavyweights like Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns found themselves among the eight sides eliminated. Now, interesting quarter-final matchups have been confirmed as the defending champions are still in vying to reclaim this trophy.
The Soweto giants are pushing their continental ambitions while also trying to make a big mark on the domestic scene. They have passed through the first hurdle of the quest to play in the group stages of CAF tournaments and now know who they will meet in the last qualifying round.
The Portuguese star was sent off in the 85th minute for a rough challenge on his opponent, handing Marumo Gallants a numerical advantage in a tightly contested and dramatic encounter. Bahlabane Ba Ntwa eventually prevailed as Downs were hit with another season setback.
