Tottenham Hotspur endured a nightmare start against Atletico Madrid in their Champions League round of 16 tie. Interim boss Igor Tudor was forced to substitute struggling goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after just 15 minutes as Spurs conceded three rapid goals, cementing a humiliating European record while their dire domestic form bleeds onto the continent.
The tension at Naturena reached boiling point after a disastrous run of form saw the Amakhosi faithful demanding immediate changes to the coaching team during a protest march to the club's training ground over the weekend. And now, the leader of that group has reiterated their demands.
Dango Ouattara's missed Panenka effort proved costly for Brentford after a 2-2 draw with West Ham at the London Stadium. The Hammers ultimately secured their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Bees.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions have revealed plans to face one of the elite teams, not only in Germany but in Europe at large. South African players have an opportunity to gauge themselves against their European-based colleagues and maybe get better deals abroad. Mzansi football lovers will enjoy watching their own team facing a top side.
Masandawana are the only team from Mzansi in the ongoing CAF inter-club competition following the elimination of the Glamour Boys, the Sea Robbers, and Stellenbosch. The Brazilians will reap big, as confirmed by the organisers, but they should go all the way and bring the most coveted trophy home. Last season, they reached the final but fell to Pyramids.
In what could infuriate the Amakhosi fan base again, the national team head coach has not named a single player from the club. However, the Sea Robbers enjoy a high representation, followed by their close Premier Soccer League rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns. Thembinkosi Lorch, who has enjoyed an impressive run, has not been called up again.
Over the years, some high-profile strikers have come out of Mzansi, but recently, the upcoming ones have struggled to reach the standards set by their predecessors. As Hugo Broos looks forward to naming his World Cup squad, he should be scratching his head on whether the available centre-forwards will deliver. Before then, though, a retired striker has shared lessons for the current crop.
Referees play critical roles in any football competitions but are always on the verge of a severe dressing-down if they make decisions considered biased. The coaches have always expressed their dissatisfaction openly when they feel decisions made were against their teams. Although freedom of expression is allowed, an experienced tactician has cautined his colleagues against public condemnation of the match officials.
The Soweto giants are seemingly braced to end the 2025/26 campaign without silverware, having ended their decade-long drought barely a year ago with the Nedbank Cup triumph. The Glamour Boys enjoy a massive following in and outside the country. Their struggles are allegedly harming the nation, and something should be done.
The Soweto giants have been struggling for consistency, especially in the final third, where they have not been taking their scoring opportunities. Despite bringing on board players who could help them solve their scoring problems, the Glamour Boys have consistently failed to score more than one goal in most matches this season.
Eddie Howe has turned up the heat ahead of Newcastle United's monumental Champions League last-16 first leg against Barcelona, describing it as the "biggest game in the club’s history". Following a disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester City, the Magpies boss is determined to ensure his squad does not dwell on domestic setbacks with the eyes of the footballing world turning to St. James' Park on Tuesday.
Mansfield Town have taken a cheeky swipe at Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori following their valiant defeat in the FA Cup fifth round. The Stags pushed their Premier League opponents all the way at the One Call Stadium before ultimately falling to a narrow 2-1 loss. The League One club then targeted the Italian international on social media, poking fun at his distinctive running style before insisting the post was "banter".
The historic Old Firm rivalry erupted into chaos following a dramatic Scottish Cup quarter-final clash at Ibrox. What began as a joyous pitch invasion by Celtic supporters celebrating a penalty shootout victory quickly turned violent as Rangers fans breached barriers. Police and stewards were forced to form a human wall to separate the warring factions and restore order.
The magic of the FA Cup was on full display at Vale Park on Sunday as League One strugglers Port Vale pulled off a monumental giant-killing. Despite sitting at the very bottom of the third tier, the Valiants defied a gap of 57 places in the football pyramid to eliminate Premier League side Sunderland with a gritty 1-0 victory.
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has admitted that the club's incredible journey "feels like a dream" after the Red Dragons pushed Chelsea to the absolute limit in a pulsating FA Cup fifth-round encounter. Despite a heartbreaking 4-2 defeat after extra-time at the Racecourse Ground, the Hollywood star was overcome with emotion following a performance that saw the Championship outfit twice take the lead against their illustrious Premier League visitors.
As Amakhosi struggle, everyone is coming out to give advice on how the Soweto giants can return to winning ways. From football pundits to the club's legends and even fans, everyone seems to have a solution. As suggestions come from every corner, will the club's hierarchy act and arrest the situation before it worsens?
Although they are trailing league leaders by far, Amakhosi managed to end a long winless run courtesy of a late goal. Meanwhile, the Sea Robbers suffered a defeat on Saturday, and the result allowed Masandawana to close in on them. Now, Bucs only lead courtesy of a superior goal difference as the league momentum is at a high speed.
As the Amakhosi boat struggles to stabilise, blame games have been the order of the day. The coaches, the players and the management have all been blamed for a poor run that has seen the club lose four consecutive games across all competitions. As the season enters a decisive stretch, the Glamour Boys are fighting internal and external pressure as their traditional rivals focus on winning titles.
Cesc Fabregas is convinced that Como goalkeeper Jean Butez is ready to make his France debut following a series of impressive performances. Following a gritty 2-1 victory away at Cagliari, the Spanish tactician heaped praise on his shot-stopper, describing his work ethic in remarkable terms as the Lariani continued their unlikely charge towards a potential Champions League spot.
The 20-year-old started his third Major League Soccer match in a row and played well in keeping a clean sheet for his club. However, the centre back will have sleepless nights over a late chance that would have secured victory for his side.
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali was spotted sharing a private moment with Wrexham's co-chairman Ryan Reynolds in the aftermath of a pulse-pounding FA Cup fifth-round encounter at the Racecourse Ground. Following the Red Dragons' 4-2 defeat in extra time, the Blues supremo made it clear he wants to see the Welsh outfit on the same stage as the Premier League heavyweights permanently.
Although the Soweto giants are considered part of the country's Big Three, their trajectories have been different. Bucs continue to challenge for honours, while Amakhosi are a pale shadow of their former selves. In fact, this season, the Sea Robbers are champions of two domestic competitions, while Amakhosi were eliminated from a contest they were the defending champions of, the Nedbank Cup.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed he will serve a two-match touchline suspension following a series of heated exchanges with officials during his side's 3-1 FA Cup victory over Newcastle United on Saturday. The Catalan tactician was shown his sixth yellow card of the domestic campaign after a confrontation with fourth official Lewis Smith, triggered by a challenge on Jeremy Doku that went unpunished.
The Mpumalanga side overpowered their visitors from the Northern Cape to become the first top-flight league side into the semi-finals, joining Casric Stars and Milford FC in the last four. Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal derby between Golden Arrows and Durban City will determine who takes up one spot left to claim.
The Mpumalanga side overpowered Spears to become the first Goliath into the semi-finals, joining Casric and Milford in the last four. Meanwhile, tension is building ahead of the KwaZulu-Natal derby, with just one spot left to claim.
The final four teams are officially confirmed as City secured a hard-fought penalty shootout victory over Abafana Bes'thende to join the Rockets, as well as lower-division sides Casric Stars and Milford FC in the last-four.