The Buccaneers reached the semi-final of the annual prestigious continental club competition last season before falling to the eventual champions, Pyramids, who beat the Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the final. However, things didn't work out in their favour as they were undone in the last preliminary round and crashed out.
The Soweto giants argue they were not fairly eliminated from the CAF inter-club competition by the Democratic Republic of Congo outfit last weekend. They have since protested the same to the football governing body on the continent, who have in turn demanded an explanation from the Cheminots within five days.
Although they showed strong character and a spirited fight, the Sea Robbers were eliminated from the continental competition. After their continental campaign ended, even after coming so close last season, it means Bucs will only be chasing domestic titles in 2025-26.
Nuno Santos and Peter Shalulile scored at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium to hand the Brazilians another win after beating their second preliminary round rivals on their own turf in the first leg. Since the big win at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, Downs' tactician has revealed that their objectives shifted.
The South African's side was made to sweat by their second preliminary round continental rivals, who proved to be a very stubborn opponent. However, in the end, it is Mokwena's team that had the last laugh.
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.
On Sunday, South African defending league champions Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the CAF Champions League group stages with a commanding 7–1 aggregate win over Nigeria’s Remo Stars. The result underlines Masandawana’s continental ambitions as they continue their pursuit of a second CAF Champions League star.
Amakhosi's dream of winning a continental trophy remains alive thanks to their dominant home game against AS Simba. The Glamour Boys' hope of a group stage ticket was realised within just 26 minutes, as they had already achieved an advantage that Simba could not cancel in the end.
Heading into the return leg, Masandawana all but sealed their spot in the group stages after a dominant 5-1 first-leg win over Stars. With their midweek league clash against Sekhukhune United postponed, the hosts enjoyed a full week of focused prep ahead of the second leg, ready to finish the job and maintain their continental momentum.
The Buccaneers are out of the continent's premier club competition following what some might view as an unlucky exit from the tournament. Their Moroccan coach made a surprise selection of his starting line-up up which sparked debate, and he has come out to justify his choices.
GOAL gives you the details to follow Madandawana's hosting of the Sky Blue in this CAF Champions League second preliminary round, second leg at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday. Having recorded a big win away in Nigeria last week, Masandawana are likely to have an easy afternoon but at the same time wary of a big upset.
The Tshwane giants head into the game confident, given the kind of results they registered away from home. The technical bench must be mulling over whether to deploy their usual first teamers or deploy other players who have not been regularly used in order to prove themselves.
The Sea Robbers were already under pressure after losing the first leg of the second preliminary round, leaving their continental hopes hanging in a thread. However, they can take heart from how they fought at home but fell short of what they needed to progress.
The Buccaneers were hard done by on Saturday afternoon as they were eliminated by St Eloi Lupopo from the CAF Champions League. They fought from a 3-0 loss in the first leg of the final preliminary round to a 3-3 aggregate draw before eventually bowing out 5-4 in the penalty shootout.
The Buccaneers fought from three goals down conceded in the first leg in Lubumbashi against the Congolese outfit at the Orlando Stadium to send the game to penalties. However, the Railmen emerged victorious in the shootout to progress to the next round of the annual CAF inter-club competition.
With a star-studded squad and a massive budget, the Tshwane giants find themselves under the spotlight again, with expectations high on them to dominate both at home and on the African continent. A senior player explains what they have been prioritising.
The 32-year-old has been in good form in North Africa, which might catch the attention of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. He will now be playing in the group phase of the continent's top-tier club competition, hoping to be one of the outstanding players.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Soweto giants hosting the Railmen in this CAF Champions League second preliminary round, second leg match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. It is a big task for the Buccaneers, who have to overturn a 3-0 defeat they suffered when they visited their Congolese opponents last weekend.
After a bruising 3-0 away defeat to The Railmen, the Buccaneers return to Orlando Stadium with more than just a scoreline to overturn. Accusations of poor treatment in Lubumbashi have stirred the pot, but Saturday’s CAF Champions League second preliminary round return leg is about grit, goals and rewriting the narrative.
The Amakhosi tactician has been forced to explain the situation around the club's new signing. The player looks set to feature for the DDC side, raising questions on whether he remains a first-team star or has been demoted.
The Sea Robbers face a challenge that will define their continental destiny, and they rise to the occasion to ensure their African dream remains achievable. Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou rested a number of his key players in the midweek game, probably in anticipation of what awaits them at Orlando Stadium.
Mzansi faced their COSAFA rivals at a critical juncture of their qualification journey, and they were deeply frustrated. But in the end, despite what looked like insurmountable challenges, SA finally qualified for next year's finals.
Despite playing away from home, Downs managed a huge victory that took them closer to the CAF Champions League group stage. However, the win has been described in sceptical terms, as the Nigerian club has been categorised as a weaker opponent for Masandawana.
The veteran midfielder was a rock for the Buccaneers last season, owing to his displays across all competitions. However, he has been out injured, which has prevented him from making any appearance across all competitions. The Soweto giants have now shared the latest on the 35-year-old.
The Belgian tactician is concerned that the Sea Robbers' winger has not been at his best since the reported move abroad did not materialise. The 73-year-old is concerned with the well-being of the player who is regarded as the future of South African football, alongside other cropping youngsters.
The Brazilians have been criticised when they putting below-par standards owing to the quality within their squad, which is made up of experienced members. The former Esperance coach insists it is not the right way to gauge the team since their rivals seem to get a soft landing.
Since winning the 2011/12 Premier Soccer League title, the Buccaneers have found it hard to lift this trophy. But their rivals Masandawana have clinched it for the last eight seasons in a row. That leaves the Soweto giants with a challenge to break the dominance of the Tshwane giants.
The Congolese side enjoys what looks like a healthy lead over the Buccaneers going into the second leg of this round that precedes the group stage of the continental competition. However, some damning claims have emerged against the Railmen, who have come out to respond to what was alleged.
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.
The Buccaneers suffered their biggest defeat so far this season following the emphatic loss in the DR Congo. That leaves them with an insurmountable task to overturn that big defeat, a huge test of character for Abdeslam Ouaddou and his men.
