Match

Former Chelsea star Ruud Gullit feels that Liam Delap was not at all happy after starting Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal as a winger at the Emirates. Liam Rosenior deployed the striker in an unusual right-wing role but saw his Blues team struggle to trouble the Gunners defensively despite going into the game 3-2 down after the first leg.

Around 50,000 FC Koln fans were in attendance on Wednesday night to watch the club's Under-19 side take on Inter in the UEFA Youth League. The senior side are currently enduring a tough season in the Bundesliga but supporters have shown their appetite for the game by selling out the RheinEnergieStadion to watch the next generation in action against Serie A giants Inter.

The fixture between the Glamour Boys and the Stellies was definitely going to be an entertaining one, thanks to the recent rivalry. Neither team had won once in the previous two meetings this season, but it was the Soweto giants who came into the match as favourites owing to their good run across all competitions.

Although Miguel Cardoso fielded what can be described as a second-tier lineup, their overall performance was not convincing. This performance will only put the head coach under more pressure given that the Pretoria heavyweights dropped crucial points in the CAF Champions League.

Going by how teams are fighting, it can easily be predicted that Masandawana's dominance in the top flight could come to an end this time around. Bucs pushed the Tshwane giants in the last three seasons but failed to dethrone them. Now, apart from the 'Big Three', even fourth-placed AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United in fifth place are mathematically firmly in the title race.

The Glamour Boys have been doing quite well this season, as players continue proving their doubters wrong. Bafana Bafana are among the teams that will feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Amakhosi players hope to be considered for the global tournament.

What is on the minds of most South African goalkeepers now is whether their performance will earn them Bafana Bafana slots for the World Cup finals. Amakhosi's goalkeeper has been sensational so far in the season, and Hugo Broos could be watching at a distance with some interest. Players from the Glamour Boys have been snubbed by the Belgian tactician at times, but maybe things could change in the near future when the next Bafana squad is named.

With the World Cup just five months away, GOAL takes a look at how El Tri’s squad could shape up next summer.

Fulham star Alex Iwobi has praised Kobbie Mainoo but has also revealed the Manchester United midfielder accidentally injured him during Saturday's Premier League clash between the two sides at Old Trafford. Iwobi suffered a hand injury during the game which ended in a 3-2 win for the Red Devils courtesy of substitute Benjamin Sesko's dramatic late winner.

Bafana Bafana's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals was dominated by players from the Soweto giants. Even though South Africa were eliminated in the Round of 16, lessons learnt in the continental competition have been linked to the current form shown by the Sea Robbers.

Only five points separate the top team, Orlando Pirates, and the Glamour Boys, who are third in the log, thanks to their consistency. The defending Nedbank Cup champions have won their last five games in a row across all competitions, and have kept six clean sheets in as many recent outings. However, some feel the club will struggle to match its rivals.

Mason Greenwood scored as Marseille beat Rennes 3-0 to progress to the Coupe De France quarter-finals. The striker was joined on the scoresheet by Amine Gouri and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, although Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri was fortunate to avoid a red card.

After a disappointing show in the CAF Champions League, Masandawana now focus on a domestic tournament. On paper, it is easy to predict a win for the Pretoria giants, but upsets always have a way of writing themselves in such encounters. This is a cup that has eluded the Premier Soccer League giants for some time now, and Downs would be keen to end the poor run that has stretched for three seasons.

New York City FC’s proposed move for Mali international Moussa Sylla collapsed late, sending the 26-year-old back to Schalke. The German club blasted NYCFC over a disputed medical, insisting contracts were signed, and insisting the striker is fit. With the deal off, NYCFC will pivot as Schalke keep a key scorer. The striker was set to be a Designated Player before talks unraveled abruptly, publicly.

Paul Merson ripped into Chelsea's players after Liam Rosenior's side fell to a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday night, exiting the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage with a 4-2 aggregate loss. The Blues struggled to create many clear-cut chances and couldn't score the goals they needed to reach the final, instead seeing Kai Havertz strike to send the Gunners to Wembley.

Although it is a slim win, the points are enough for Bucs to widen the gap at the top with Mamelodi Sundowns. After dropping points against Sekhukhune United, the Sea Robbers returned to winning ways, adding new impetus to their title ambition. For Arthur Zwane, the loss is a lost chance for his side to go above Kaizer Chiefs on the log.

Minnesota United are in talks with James Rodríguez over a potential move that would bring the Colombian star to MLS, according to The Athletic. The 34-year-old is a free agent after leaving Club León and remains a key figure for Colombia ahead of the 2026 World Cup, despite not playing since late 2025.

The walking style of the Saint-Eloi Lupopo star became a major talking point after the DR Congo outfit eliminated Bucs from the CAF Champions League. As the Sea Robbers' fans were still nursing broken hearts from the elimination, Amakhosi progressed in the CAF Confederation Cup after beating Simba. In an attempt to create the Mukoko style, the Chiefs star infuriated fans and was consequently attacked.

Alejandro Garnacho has taken a subtle pot shot at former club Manchester United ahead of Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Arsenal. Chelsea trail the Gunners 3-2 in the tie but Garnacho believes his side can turn it around at the Emirates Stadium, pointing to how the Red Devils pulled off a surprise victory over Mikel Arteta's men last month.

It has emerged that the experienced goalkeeper is not only a leader on the pitch but also plays a crucial role behind the scenes. Being a leader demands a lot, and sometimes one is forced to play a role that those under them will not like. The Amakhosi coach has now revealed how the former Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper helps in keeping discipline among his teammates.

New York Red Bulls have completed the signing of Mexican international Jorge Ruvalcaba from Pumas UNAM, securing one of Liga MX’s most promising attackers. The 24-year-old joins MLS on a long-term deal through 2029, with the club viewing him as a key piece of their attacking project moving forward. Michael Bradley’s side has also strengthened their roster with the addition of Cade Cowell from Chivas.

The Soweto giants are currently on a good run across all competitions, having won four games in a row without conceding. Amakhosi have now been tipped to go all the way and challenge for not only the Premier Soccer League, but the Nedbank Cup and CAF Confederation Cup as well. It explains why the technical team is working hard to get it right on the pitch.

The Glamour Boys are known for their appetite for youngsters whom they develop and ensure they fit into their system. Amakhosi have been excellent, as opposed to the recent seasons, and are keen to deliver in the Premier Soccer League, the CAF Confederation Cup, as well as the Nedbank Cup. Players from their youth structure have been doing well in helping the club perform.

The football lovers were set to watch their favourite players clash for the bragging rights at stake. However, the organisers have had to make changes, meaning the country will have no option but to wait a little longer. The winner will have a massive chance to face an international team in the next couple of months.

Team Ya Ziko remain winless in their pool after four losses in a row in the annual CAF inter-club competition. The Zambian heavyweights lost twice to an opponent from Egypt before losing both home and away against the Glamour Boys to crash out of the tournament. The Soweto giants have a massive chance to make the knockout phase.

The duo have been criticised since they took over, following the departure of Nasreddine Nabi. However, Kaze and Ben Youssef have steadied the Amakhosi ship and the team looks like PSL title contenders. A Chiefs icon has praised the two tacticians following back-to-back wins over ZECO United.

The 38-year-old has had a relatively good time in Algeria with the People's Club, especially in domestic competitions. However, in his recent interview with the media, the former Masandawana tactician has conceded that something is amiss. He argues that some of his requests to the management were not met.

Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Al-Nassr's squad for Monday's Saudi Pro League clash against Al Riyadh. Ahead of the game there had been speculation that Ronaldo would refuse to play in the match after being left frustrated by the way the PIF (Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia) is managing the club, particularly in regards to transfers.

Although Amakhosi have been winning recent games, their goal output has been incredibly low. This is an issue that the technical bench has noted, and now one of the coaches has addressed how it is being solved as the season proceeds. Chasing the Premier Soccer League, the CAF Confederation Cup and the Nedbank Cup trophies will require a solid team overall but, most importantly, a sharper attacking department.