Match

Defiant Broos continues to defend himself even though South Africa failed to achieve their AFCON ambitions. After initially blaming the level of the Premier Soccer League, stating that his players lack the necessary experience, the Belgian has turned his gun on his critics. Known for his unfiltered, controversial comments at times, the AFCON winner has hit back at those who criticise him.

In what will be seen as a surprising transfer of the January window, the Bucs star has completed a move to their Premier Soccer League rivals. As they fight to retain the league title, the Pretoria giants hope to get massive service from the left-footed forward, who is known for his pace and skilful movements. After he was frozen out at the Sea Robbers, Saleng sought refuge at Orbit College, where he became a regular starter.

Manchester United interim coach Darren Fletcher has declared there is a huge amount of talent in the club's academy, in contrast to predecessor Ruben Amorim's derisory remarks about the Red Devils' youth players. Fletcher has been coaching United's under-18s this season but is temporarily in charge of the first team after Amorim was sacked on Monday.

The coach's explanation of why South Africa failed to make it past the Round of 16 continues to attract responses. The experienced tactician claimed the level of the domestic league could have played a major role in their elimination. But the German coach has offered a different perspective, stating that Broos could be wrong and laying down what must be done to make Mzansi players become even better.

Football lovers in Mzansi are still reeling from the pain of failing to make the latter stages of the biennial competition ongoing in the North African nation of Morocco after falling to the five-time champions, the Indomitable Lions, in the initial knockout phase round. However, the style of play caught the attention of an experienced tactician.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has hit out at Atletico Madrid counterpart Diego Simeone for his treatment of Vinicius Jr during their Supercopa de Espana meeting on Thursday. Los Blancos emerged as 2-1 winners in their semi-final in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, with Federico Valverde and Rodrygo scoring for Alonso's side.

The Glamour Boys are representing the country in the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Stellenbosch who reached the semi-final in the 2024/25 season before falling to Simba SC. The Soweto giants are determined to deliver in the continent's second-tier competition despite making a return after a couple of years in the cold.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has come in for criticism after attempting to push Liverpool defender Conor Bradley off the pitch in the closing minutes of Thursday's Premier League draw with Liverpool at the Emirates. Martinelli tangled with Bradley after the 22-year-old went down and appeared to be in some distress. He was subsequently stretchered off the pitch and the fear is that he has sustained a serious injury.

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr was embroiled in more controversy on Thursday after clashing with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone while being substituted during the two teams' Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia. The pair exchanged words in a heated moment as Real Madrid won 2-1 to book a final against bitter rivals Barcelona on Sunday.

Al-Nassr have slipped four points behind Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal after slumping to a 2-1 defeat to Al Qadsiah. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of 2026 from the penalty spot in the game to halve the deficit but it was not enough as Jorge Jesus's team lost for the second match in a row. Yet Ronaldo is refusing to throw in the towel as he bids to win his first major trophy since moving to the Middle East.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League title hopes took a blow after Al-Nassr's disappointing 2-1 loss to Al-Qadsiah at Al-Awwal Park on Thursday. Ronaldo's side were on top for large periods but second-half goals from Julián Quiñones and Nahitan Nández put the visitors in control. A late Ronaldo penalty set up a grandstand finish but Al-Nassr missed the chance to close the gap to table-topping Al-Hilal.

South Africa are fresh from a not-so-satisfying Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) outing in Morocco, where they failed to get past the Round of 16 just two years after finishing third in Ivory Coast. The main focus now is the forthcoming global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The 20-year-old South African international has won millions of supporters' hearts owing to his resolute defending for both his former club, the Buccaneers, and the national team. A Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire have secured his services from the Soweto giants, hoping the youngster will continue delivering consistently.

After Bafana Bafana's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), coach Hugo Broos has been trending in Mzansi. Some have been showing immense support for the veteran tactician, while a section is not satisfied with the exploits in Morocco, where they feel South Africa could have done better.

Antoine Semenyo delivered the perfect parting gift to Bournemouth fans ahead of his move to Manchester City later this week. The departing Cherries star rifled home a 95th-minute winner against Tottenham with what could prove to be his final touch for the club, topping off what was an electric and unpredictable evening on the south coast under the lights.

Chelsea fans have unleashed their rage on defender Marc Cucurella after he was sent off away to Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday night. The Spaniard was caught out by a long ball over the top from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who released Harry Wilson in on goal. Cucurella blatantly pulled the midfielder's arm back, sending him tumbling to the ground. To no-one's surprise, the full-back was shown a red card - the Blues' seventh of the season.

Folarin Balogun says that Mauricio Pochettino has ensured that no U.S. men's national team players feel their place is guaranteed, which only makes the Monaco striker's recent goals feel all the more important. After missing much of 2025 with injury issues, Balogun returned to full fitness in the fall and has been scoring for club and country.

Barcelona begin their quest to claim the Spanish Supercopa crown against Athletic Club in the semi-finals, taking place in Saudi Arabia, but they will do so without their talisman Lamine Yamal in the starting line-up. In a shock reveal, Hansi Flick named the 18-year-old on the bench, opting for a more cautious approach after struggling with injury issues this season.

In a season where they are hoping to win at least a trophy, Amakhosi are expected to keep the players who are deemed pivotal in the campaign. One of the stars that has been outstanding in the season will have his contract expire in a matter of months, and there have been questions on whether it will be extended or not. The agent has now cleared the air and revealed what the situation is like.

Soccer’s rise in the United States has reached another milestone. According to a recent survey from The Economist, the sport has overtaken baseball to become the country’s third-most popular sport, trailing only American football and basketball - a shift driven in part by the continued growth of Major League Soccer.

With the teams strengthening in January for the final push in the season, the Sea Robbers have not been left behind. Already, they have signed a highly rated star who is expected to strengthen the midfield-attacking department. That would mean Sipho Mbule could be redeployed when the season begins after impressive moments for the Soweto giants.

Inter Miami are close to securing Tadeo Allende on a permanent transfer from Celta Vigo following a record-breaking MLS season. The Argentine winger was a key figure in Miami’s MLS Cup triumph, and his return would bolster a roster preparing not only to defend the title in 2026, but also to compete on the international stage.

Going to Morocco, Bafana were ambitious and hoped to mount a campaign even better than what they did in Ivory Coast in the last AFCON edition. But that was not the case; despite a spirited fight against Cameroon, the 1996 champions were eliminated. Scenes after the final whistle just showed how the players felt; as the Indomitable Lions celebrated, crestfallen South Africans struggled to understand what happened; some fell to the ground as the strong ones comforted them.

Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has opened up on his feud with Andre Onana after infamously calling the Cameroonian one of the Red Devils' "worst-ever goalkeepers". The two traded barbs in the lead-up to United's Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon last season, before the Premier League side won a dramatic knockout tie. Now, the ex-Chelsea ace has revisited that thorny issue.

Should the two parties reunite, it will represent one of the biggest sporting reunions in the country's history. It is the South African tactician that helped the Pretoria giants develop into one of the most successful outfits, but their separation was a controversial one. However, going by reports, it seems the two parties are ready to bury the hatchet and work together again.

The Belgian tactician insists the national team lacks players who have been exposed to top leagues in Europe as opposed to their opponents on the continent. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the 73-year-old has hinted Mzansi should not expect miracles unless more of his potential squad play regularly in 'tough' overseas divisions.

Lionel Messi has opened up on his post-retirement plans in an apparent nod to Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. The Argentina international is coming towards the end of his career but is still, arguably, one of the best players in the world at the age of 38. While many would love the Miami ace to go into management, the veteran appears to have other ideas.

The veteran 73-year-old Belgian tactician has been trending since the country's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday by Cameroon, who will now play Morocco in the quarter-final. A section of South African fans believe the coach has lost it, while some remain optimistic he is the right man at the helm of the Mzansi national team.

The Premier Soccer League teams are strengthening their teams as the South African top tier enters a critical stage in the next couple of weeks following the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break that allowed Bafana Bafana to prepare and compete in the biennial competition. Clubs have limited times to sign players they need.