CAF Confederations Cup news

hiefs are on a three-match winning run across all competitions, and keeping it going is one of their top targets as club duties resume after the international break. As the Soweto giants embark on a historical journey in the Confederation Cup, what they need most is a win in the opening group game. Although they struggled through the preliminary rounds, Amakhosi finally made it to the group stage, and the hope is now to collect as many points as possible and advance further in the competition.

The South African forward has quietly carved out a stellar campaign in Egypt, delivering consistent performances that have propelled his club to the summit of the log standings. Sitting above giants Al Ahly, Zamalek and Pyramids FC, his form has been instrumental in maintaining their grip on first place and reinforcing his growing reputation in North Africa.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns star has missed only two matches for Amakhosi this season. At 34, he stands out as one of the most experienced figures in the Soweto giants’ dressing room. His wealth of knowledge, especially in continental football, places him among the key players expected to guide the squad through the CAF Confederation Cup this season.

The Bafana full-back has struggled to break into Masandawana's first team despite the ambitious move he made before the season began. At Chloorkop, Basadien is facing stiff competition from Zimbabwean star Divine Lunga and Aubrey Modiba. His situation at the Pretoria giants has complicated his chances of making it into the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad.

Amakhosi find themselves stretched in attack, with only three of their seven forwards available for Sunday’s showdown against their Egyptian opponents. The shortage raises concern, especially with one of their key available strikers having struggled for form this season. He has still made the trip and attention will be on him to see if he can rediscover his scoring touch if selected to play

The Glamour Boys are enjoying a good season domestically and abroad, where they are pushing for glory in top competitions, which will, hopefully, kick-start their path to recovery following a decade-long struggle. Amakhosi will be playing in Egypt this weekend in Group D of the CAF Confederation Cup, hoping to get the best possible start.

The Winelands club have been a steady PSL mainstay since they gained promotion to the top division in 2019. Last season saw them compete in continental competition for the first time where they reached the semi finals of the CAF Confederations Cup. Now, however, they find themselves mired in a relegation fight while trying to balance the demands of CAF competition once again.

The defending Premier Soccer League champions are known for their untamed appetite for good and quality players to continue challenging for top honours domestically and abroad. They have recently been linked to the Bafana Bafana centre-back, who has been growing from strength to strength since leaving the Glamour Boys.

The Cape Town Spurs' product has settled well at the Glamour Boys after his controversial move a couple of weeks ago. The 22-year-old is set to make his first-ever appearance in CAF Inter-Club competitions this weekend as the Soweto giants tackle the Green Eagles in Suez, hoping to get maximum points in Group D.

Amakhosi are in Egypt for their CAF Confederation Cup Group D clash against Al Masry at Suez Stadium on Sunday. The Soweto giants' sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr acknowledges the tough challenge that awaits them in North Africa as they are chasing their first continental trophy since 2001, when they lifted the CAF Cup Winners' Cup.

Three Amakhosi players who were part of the club’s pre-season tour of the Netherlands had raised hopes they would become central figures in the first team this season. However, the players failing to play first-team football suggests they have taken steps back in their development after such early promise. It also casts doubt on whether the Soweto giants are nurturing quality talent as expected, highlighting concerns about how effectively the club transitions academy prospects into the first team. That might see Chiefs having to rethink their entire player development strategy.

The Soweto giants, who are drawn in a challenging Group D of the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Zamalek, ZESCO United, and Al Masry, have made the necessary preparations for their next fixtures during the international break. Confident, the Phefeni side believes they have what it takes to tackle the highly anticipated tough battles ahead.

The 25-year-old defender made a surprising switch from arch-rivals Orlando Pirates earlier in the season, but his journey at Kaizer Chiefs has been overshadowed by recurring injury setbacks. Despite this, his quality is evident whenever he steps onto the pitch. Monyane remains hopeful that he will eventually earn another opportunity to don the South African jersey and compete for his rightful place in the Bafana setup.

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. 

Amakhosi have been under pressure to produce players who go on to take South African football by storm. A number of their players have come close to reaching that, while others are still on their way to becoming big. The likes of Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala are still on the rise, with a lot of promise in them. However, others like Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Wandile Duba cannot be ruled out from improving to fulfil the promise they showed.

Amakhosi co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have a wide range of players to make the starting team, explaining why a few new players have not tasted competitive football despite joining the Soweto giants months ago. The tacticians have been urged to consider a former Portuguese-based left-back who has been in the cold since he joined The Glamour Boys back in July.

The Premier Soccer League has acknowledged the efforts to introduce the technology-aided officiating system, but has raised fundamental questions. The funding model remains a key issue of concern for the league, and according to Khoza, PSL cannot make any contribution on the matter at this juncture. PSL's stance comes at a time when there is a raging debate on what VAR model to implement and when to do it.