Amakhosi have officially signaled their intent to modernise their administrative structure by confirming a high-profile appointment to lead the club’s business operations. The Soweto giants are preparing for a return to continental football and have opted for a familiar face to steer the ship during this transitional period.
The Amakhosi midfielder insists the Soweto giants are finally hitting their stride after a season of steady growth in the Premier Soccer League. The creative spark, popularly known as ‘Mshini’, believes the Glamour Boys have turned a corner after sealing a top-three finish to secure a return to continental competition.
The year is 2024 and the former Morocco captain had started to forge a career in coaching at club level after cutting his teeth with a controversial spell at Algeria's national team. At the beginning of that season he landed one of the biggest club jobs in African football with Congolese giants AS Vita Club. But it did not last long as he sensationally quit a few months later in a televised post-match press conference here in South Africa.
Baloyi has delivered a stinging reality check to the Naturena faithful, insisting that a third-place finish in the Premier Soccer League is simply not good enough for a club of such stature. While finishing in the pack secures a return to continental competition, the former Amakhosi goalkeeper believes fans shouldn't be fooled by a cosmetic resurgence, warning that the chasm between the Glamour Boys and the league's elite remains embarrassingly wide.
The Glamour Boys co-coach has remained tight-lipped regarding his long-term future at Naturena despite securing continental football for the Soweto giants. Alongside Cedric Kaze, the Tunisian tactician has guided Amakhosi to a guaranteed third-place finish in the Premier Soccer League, marking the club's best league performance in over five years.
CAF Confederation Cup qualification was hanging in the balance coming into this game, the stakes couldn’t have been any higher. In a dramatic twist, one of the forgotten Glamour Boys stars rose from the shadows to stamp his mark when it mattered most, etching his name back into the hearts of the supporters. The Soweto giants dug deep and showed real character to script a strong finish to the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League campaign, sealing their place on the continental stage in style with two games left.
The Soweto giants are set for a high-stakes showdown with the Chloorkop outfit, a clash that could define their pursuit of continental football. With the race for a CAF spot reaching boiling point, Amakhosi star Thabo Cele has issued a bold warning, insisting the Glamour Boys are ready to snatch all three points from Masandawana as they look to secure third place.
The Amakhosi defender has insisted that the Glamour Boys cannot afford any complacency as they prepare for a vital encounter against the Bloemfontein-based outfit. With the race for continental qualification reaching its boiling point, the 25-year-old is adamant that the Soweto giants must build on their recent Derby performance to secure maximum points.
The Amakhosi defender has opened up on the dramatic transformation at Naturena, insisting that a steadfast commitment to their core principles has paved the way for their recent success. As the Glamour Boys prepare for a high-stakes Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates, the centre-back highlighted how stability in the dugout has finally translated into results on the pitch.
The Glamour Boys began the Premier Soccer League season with high hopes, competing on multiple fronts, including the CAF Confederation Cup and Nedbank Cup, but their campaign quickly unravelled, leaving them battling for a top-eight finish. However, the Naturena-based outfit has since turned things around in impressive fashion, reigniting their push for a return to African continental football, and Ben Youssef has opened the lid on the transformation.
With Amakhosi's form on a downward spiral, much of the blame has focused on their co-coaches, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. This has led to speculation around who is next for the Naturena hotseat. One of those names belongs to the 46-year-old Bosnian who is remembered in South Africa for his stint at TS Galaxy and his feud with Rhulani Mokwena.
The Sporting Director's interview with 947's MSW has seen a steady drip of headlines hit the media. From defending the money spent on transfers, to learning lessons from arch rivals Orlando Pirates, the 44-year-old has covered a lot of ground. However, the most eye-catching statement so far has come in the form of his acceptance of accountability for results on the pitch.
The Glamour Boys' supporters have grown increasingly restless, having initially given the co-coaches the benefit of the doubt after an early promise. Now, trust in those at the helm has worn thin. Ahead of the crucial Soweto Derby, one of Amakhosi coaches has openly stated that a victory would not only secure three points but also help appease their fans.
The PSL big three have all exited the Nedbank Cup, shifting full focus onto the league title race. While Mamelodi Sundowns still have continental commitments, the spotlight now turns to the Soweto teams. A retired footballer believed the Glamour Boys still have a chance and that this is their opportunity to fight and be among Africa’s elite clubs.
The Soweto giants began the campaign on a promising note but have since fallen short in their pursuit of silverware, leaving the league title as their only realistic shot at redemption. However, their struggles in front of the goal have continued to haunt them, limiting their options and stalling momentum throughout the season. And according to the ex-Chiefs marksman, the revolving door approach in the starting XI has done more harm than good.
It did not take long for the 32-year-old attacker to start paying back his reputed $75,000 (R1.2 million) transfer fee as he scored to help his new club progress to the next round of the domestic cup competition.
The Cape Winelands side and their opponents from Tanzania entered this last group game with their quarter-final hopes having already been extinguished. With nothing tangible left to fight for, the fixture effectively became a dead rubber. The chance to sign off in a respectable manner was all that remained at stake, but it turned out to be a disappointing evening for both teams.
It was Amakhosi's maiden participation in the group stage of this continental inter-club competition after successfully navigating through the preliminary round. But they came so close to getting a ticket to the quarter-finals and in the end were unable. The Naturena outfit needed just a draw to reach the knockouts, but a defeat to the White Knight saw Al Masry beat them to the ticket courtesy of a superior goal difference.
The Soweto giants have been knocked out of continental competition and will now shift their full attention to domestic duties. Their exit means only one tournament remains to fight for this season after falling short in three major trophy bids. With continental ambitions over, the focus turns to salvaging pride and success on the local front.
The Glamour Boys came into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia just needing a draw to progress. They fell 2-1 to Zamalek and exited the CAF Confederation Cup at the group stage. Now, as the dust settles, fans have taken to social media to vent their feelings over the result and Amakhosi's performance.
The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress but succumbed 2-1 to the White Knight and were eliminated from the competition. It was a result that did not sit well with Brian Baloyi who lashed out at the club's management.
The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress. For the White Knight, the only option was to secure maximum points to be sure of advancing as pool winners regardless of the outcome between Al Masry and ZESCO United.
Although much has been expected from the 22-year-old, he has ended up attracting more criticism than praise. After wasting quite a number of chances against Stellenbosch in a Nedbank Cup encounter, his performance was again negatively scrutinised. But there is hope for the South African star; he has been tipped to become a top goal scorer and even a dependable Bafana asset.
