FEATURES

Even though some of their key players were not available, the Sea Robbers outshone the combined All-Stars team to secure another trophy. The exhibition match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium gave the Soweto giants a chance to add another collection into their trophy cabinet. The victory in the Carling Black Label Cup came after they had secured a cup double following their success in the Carling Knockout.

First Ruben Amorim came for Marcus Rashford but Manchester United fans did not speak out because they had also questioned his commitment and performances. Then he came for Alejandro Garnacho and still they did not speak out as the winger’s attitude had become unbearable. But then he came for Kobbie Mainoo and there was total uproar, enough to finally push the patient supporters over the edge.

Lucky Arsenal were let off the hook in dramatic style as they claimed a 2-1 win against Wolves thanks to two own goals from the Premier League's basement boys, with Yerson Mosquera heading what proved to be the winner past his own keeper Sam Johnstone deep into stoppage time at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta's league leaders looked to have dropped two costly points when Mateus Mane glanced a header past David Raya with just seconds remaining to cancel out Arsenal's opener, which had come when Bukayo Saka's inswinging corner had struck the far post and gone in off the back of the unfortunate Johnstone.

Masandawana’s depth is the envy of the continent - a squad stacked with internationals, specialists and system players built for dominance across competitions. But that strength comes with a cost: talented footballers slipping down the pecking order, roles shrinking, confidence fading and careers stalling under the weight of relentless competition in a team designed to win everything.

Raphinha's brace sent Barcelona seven points clear at the top of La Liga with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Osasuna. Hansi Flick's team were toothless in front of goal for long periods but the former Leeds United star came up trumps just when his team needed him in the second half. The result widened the gap to rivals Real Madrid, with Xabi Alonso under increasing pressure to keep his job.

Hugo Ekitike scored twice as Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday. Mohamed Salah also made an impact after coming off the bench to replace the injured Joe Gomez. The Egypt international, who is facing an uncertain future at the club, bagged an assist for Arne Slot's side in what was his final game for the club before he joins up with his country's AFCON squad.

Cole Palmer scored his first Chelsea goal since September as the returning star helped his side beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday. Amid an injury-hit season, the Blues talisman opened the scoring before the excellent Malo Gusto doubled the hosts' advantage. The Toffees barely laid a glove on Enzo Maresca's team as they claimed their first victory in five matches in all competitions.

Alessia Russo marked her 100th Women's Super League appearance in style with a goal and an impressive showing as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners over Everton on Saturday at Goodison Park. Katie McCabe and Olivia Smith were also on target in a dominant win for the Gunners, who received another boost as Lionesses star Leah Williamson made her long-awaited return from injury late on in the game.

The Sea Robbers have been doing well in South African domestic football this season where they have already won the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout. The Buccaneers are now tipped to go all the way and win the Premier Soccer League owing to their form, quality, and depth. Bucs are also hoping to make an impact in the Nedbank Cup.

The reigning Premier Soccer League champions are in Botswana, where they took part in a tournament, as most of their players were not involved in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), starting December 21 to January 18 in Morocco. Masandawana showed their class, reaping their opponents apart as the technical team continues working on their tactics.

There is surely no way back for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool in the wake of his very public outburst against the club and head coach Arne Slot. The Reds could be positioning themselves for a big-money sale, while the Saudi Pro League's powers that be have effectively confirmed that they will do their damnedest to take the Egyptian King to the Middle East. Now, the Premier League champions must look to the future.

With Christmas approaching, there are still two winless teams in Europe's 'Big 5' leagues. That one of them is Wolves is arguably unsurprising. The Fosun International-owned Premier League club sold two of their best players during the summer and squandered the proceeds on sub-standard signings. However, the fact that Fiorentina have yet to win a single game in Serie A is shocking.

Pulisic is chasing a first league title, Balogun is delivering in Europe, and Brenden Aaronson is fighting relegation - GOAL breaks down the biggest Americans Abroad storylines across Europe this weekend.

The Buccaneers boast enviable depth across the pitch, giving head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou options in every department. But that strength has a shadow side: talented players slipping down the pecking order, roles shrinking confidence fading, and careers stalling as competition intensifies in a squad built to challenge on all fronts.

Brazil are short in key areas, while Belgium's golden generation has been and gone - but they're not the only ones who might struggle

Rennes are no strangers to producing some of the best players around, and Mohamed Kader Meite looks primed to become the next elite talent to step off the conveyor belt after the likes of Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Eduardo Camavinga. Still just 18, the towering striker is already said to be turning heads across Europe.

The 2019-20 season was one of pure jubilation for Leeds United as Marcelo Bielsa's side ended the club's 16-year exile from the Premier League in style, storming to the Championship title by 10 points ahead of second-placed West Brom. Leeds earned widespread praise for their free-flowing brand of football along the way, with key players such as Patrick Bamford, Ben White, Kalvin Phillips and Stuart Dallas all becoming modern-day icons in the eyes of supporters.

Is this it, then? Is this how Mohamed Salah's Liverpool love story ends? No fond farewell at an adoring Anfield? Just an embarrassing, back-door exit for the fallen Kop idol? This weekend's Premier League clash with Brighton was only meant to be Salah's final game for Liverpool before heading off to Morocco to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations - but there's now every chance that he'll never play for the club again.

For a long time, it has felt like Chelsea's dominance of the Women's Super League would never end. Since the Blues were crowned champions of England for a third time back on June 5, 2020, they have yet to relinquish their crown, spending over 2000 days as the holders of the trophy thanks to six successive triumphs. This season, however, it looks like their incredible run could finally be stopped.

Mic'd Up: The Apple TV analyst breaks down Inter Miami’s MLS Cup win, explains why Messi still decides everything, backs MLS’s move to a fall-spring calendar, and tips LA Galaxy to rebound in 2026.

Pulisic is flying, Pepi keeps scoring, and Balogun is rolling again - while one USMNT midfielder may need a January reset. GOAL dives into Americans Abroad in this week’s Rondo.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos announced his squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and as expected, there were prominent names missing from the Belgian's selection. One of the players whose omission triggered debate is the Wydad Casablanca attacker. He did not even appear in the preliminary squad and has, over a period of time, not been considered for national duty.

In a bombshell seven-and-a-half-minute interview after Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds United last weekend, Mohamed Salah accused the club of throwing him "under the bus" and claimed he no longer has any relationship with head coach Arne Slot. The 'Egyptian King', who has scored 250 goals for Liverpool over the last eight years and was the driving force behind the 2024-25 Premier League title success under Slot, didn't see a single minute of action at Elland Road after being named on the bench for the third game in a row, and decided to go public with his grievances.

Everything was looking rosy for Xabi Alonso after a thumping 4-0 home win over Valencia on November 1, which was Real Madrid's 13th victory out of 14 games across all competitions in the first few months of the season. Los Blancos were top of La Liga by five points ahead of Clasico rivals Barcelona, who they beat 2-1 at the Bernabeu seven days earlier, and they'd racked up nine points out of a possible nine in the Champions League, with Juventus among their victims.

After three months and six matchdays featuring a whopping 108 games, this season's Champions League is finally getting interesting, as we now have a much better idea of which sides are on course to qualify directly for the last 16, who is likely to end up in the play-off round, and whether any top team is running the risk of falling at the first hurdle.

Both the former Orlando Pirates defender and the South Africa tactician have been trending since Wednesday, just 10 days before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that is set to begin in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. The new Chicago Fire defender was on the receiving end for failing to meet his end of the bargain in the national team's preparations.

Chiefs have a lopsided squad that isn't gelling in the final third as 2025/26 approaches the halfway mark. Several players will be considering their futures during the upcoming January transfer window.

There was good enough reason for everyone at Chelsea to feel positive about their prospects this season as November rolled into December. Enzo Maresca had just led his young side to a seismic 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League, while they held Premier League leaders Arsenal to a credible 1-1 draw days later despite playing much of the match with one fewer player after Moises Caicedo's red card.

Newcastle squandered a wonderful opportunity to all-but seal their place in the Champions League knockout rounds after a late equaliser from Bayer Leverkusen meant the points were shared in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the BayArena. Anthony Gordon levelled the match from the penalty spot for Eddie Howe's side and substitute Lewis Miley headed them in front, but a late strike from Alejandro Grimaldo landed a point for the hosts.