It’s no secret that pulling on the jersey of one of the Premier Soccer League's big three clubs is every player’s fast track to bigger dreams, complete with the perks, pressure, and glory that come with those famous badges; however, not everyone survives the ride. Some crash, some thrive. For the 25-year-old Bucs star, it’s been a winning journey, with the move to the Sea Robbers bringing a major boost both on and off the pitch.
Following a disappointing end to the Africa Cup of Nations for the Mzansi side, a flood of opinions, what ifs, and should-haves has dominated discussions, as the football community continues to digest the outcome of the campaign. With emotions still raw, supporters and pundits alike have begun dissecting every decision, selection, and moment that may have altered Bafana’s fate, turning the post-tournament period into a space of reflection, debate, and renewed expectations for what lies ahead.
During the Premier Soccer League break, one of Amakhosi's top officials attended a vital summit for clubs. The summit offers club owners, sporting directors, scouts and agents, as well as data analysts, a chance to gather and talk solely about transfers. Top clubs from Europe, including the Premier League giants, are members, and the sole purpose of this body is to help teams to identify which players are available and also find out what other clubs are looking for.
With the transfer market taking centre stage regarding players’ futures, the midfielder has admitted his interest in returning to the Premier Soccer League. The experienced player is hoping for “an opportunity somewhere else” after South Africa’s campaign in the African Cup of Nations. He also admitted that he would love to play for Amakhosi.
Following the surprising departure of Steve Barker from the Cape Winelands outfit to join Simba SC in Tanzania, Stellies were faced with the crucial task of making the perfect appointment—someone who aligns with the club’s culture and has the ability to deliver on its mandate.
In an attempt to end Young Africans SC's dominance, the Wekundu wa Msimbazi appointed the experienced South African tactician. Barker made his name with the Winelands club, a team he mentored from a second-tier side into the Premier Soccer League. In order to boost their technical bench, the Tanzanian heavyweights are reported to be in talks with the football analyst who is expected to be incorporated into Barker's technical bench.
The Glamour Boys have been rebuilding since last season after going for a decade without any major silverware across all competitions. In the ongoing campaign, the Soweto giants have been doing quite well despite having young players in their squad who are still learning to deliver in top-flight football domestically and abroad.
With mounting questions surrounding the capabilities of the Chiefs' co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, and growing frustration among the Naturena faithful, the Soweto giants have once again found themselves at the centre of intense debate. Discontent continues to ripple through the fan base as uncertainty lingers over the team's direction, reigniting widespread discussions about who would be the right fit to take charge as head coach and steer the club back toward stability and success.
The 31-year-old playmaker had been without a club for the past six months following his departure from the Naturena-based side. During his stint with the Soweto giants, which began in 2023, he scored five goals and provided two assists, contributing to the team’s efforts on the pitch. He was also part of the squad that lifted the Nedbank Cup, helping Amakhosi end their 10-year trophy drought, although his impact was more supportive than decisive due to recurring injury setbacks.
The 27-year-old, on loan at Amakhosi from Algerian side CR Belouizdad with a possible permanent deal in play, is still working to make his mark. With just one goal in six matches so far, Mayo is continuing to search for rhythm and consistency as he adapts to the Chiefs setup amid growing outside interest in his future.
The Amakhosi youngster has been previously compared to Premier Soccer League legend Themba Zwane as well as Thembinkosi Lorch. Although he is tipped to become a key player for the Soweto giants, being played out of his natural position has been cited as impeding his development. Despite competition from more experienced rivals, he has been able to become a regular starter.
The Amakhosi player is considered one of the promising stars in the country, and he has now attracted interest from another Premier Soccer League rival. Given the competition from more experienced options at the club, the youngster has been unable to break into the first team, and a move to another top-flight outfit could give him the necessary exposure. With the January window set to open, eyes will be keen to see whether Chiefs will consider selling or loaning the star.
The two coaches continue to attract scrutiny as some question whether they are capable of leading the Soweto giants to success. Before the Africa Cup of Nations break, Chiefs had a chance to go level with Orlando Pirates point-wise, but they collected just two from a possible six, putting Kaze and Ben Youssef under more pressure. Angry for more titles, some have been calling for the Naturena outfit to consider the more experienced Mosimane, who is not with a club now.
With key players unavailable as they are focused on the Africa Cup of Nations, Ouaddou is expected to give playtime to other stars. In the team that has landed in Durban ahead of the showdown against All-Stars, there are a few players, including a teenager, who could be deployed. After winning the Carling Knockout, the Bucs might win another trophy on Saturday, although it is not an official cup.
The Naturena-based outfit has, over the past few seasons, struggled to fully demonstrate its big club status in the Premier Soccer League, consistently falling short and finishing the campaign outside the top eight. However, despite their struggles last season, they managed to break their long-standing trophy drought by being crowned champions of the Nedbank Cup, a moment widely viewed as the start of new beginnings. That success appears to have carried into the 2025/26 season, with the club opening the campaign on a high note and delivering performances strong enough to position themselves among the recognised league title chasers.
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.
PSL's top three clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, are naturally monitoring the talented player's situation, having raided the Winelands side for stars over the years. The highly rated forward will see his contract expire at the end of the season, and this means he is free to sign a pre-contract with a club of his choice from January 1.
After a long-awaited debut, the youngster was given his first start for the Soweto giants. Just like his former teammate, his debut took too long to come by, given the off-pitch challenges he faced before he signed for Amakhosi. Now his performance on his debut has been assessed, but the coach asserted that what matters for Chiefs are the general performance of the team.
Amakhosi's recent run has been underwhelming, and in six possible Premier Soccer League points, the Soweto giants have only managed to collect two. They lost an opportunity to close in on Orlando Pirates, the league leaders so far, and second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. The Motaungs have now been asked to look for a new coach, a tactician with the right profile to handle the club and the players.
The Soweto giants closed off their first half of the Premier Soccer League campaign on Sunday with a frustrating 0–0 draw against TS Galaxy. Despite putting up a commendable challenge throughout the match, they were unfortunate to walk away with just a single point.
At one stage, Amakhosi were flying high at the very top of the PSL table, sparking talk of a title charge. Fast forward to the halfway stage of the campaign and Amakhosi now sit fourth, a spot that feels underwhelming after such a bright start. Fans expected the Glamour Boys to stay in the mix, but inconsistency has slowed their climb.
Amakhosi were once again left frustrated in front of goal, recording their second straight goalless stalemate after also firing blanks against Chippa United in midweek. Despite dominating large spells, Chiefs could not find the breakthrough against the Rockets in their match on Sunday, December 7, yet the point was enough to lift them into fourth place on the Premier Soccer League table.
Chiefs are spreading their wings by taking some of their home games beyond Gauteng and into other provinces. The Soweto giants are confident in their nationwide appeal, knowing they attract huge crowds wherever they play. Their widespread following ensures that even on “away” turf, they enjoy overwhelming backing from their supporters across South Africa.
The 31-year-old has been one of the most trusted figures at the back in Chiefs’ continental campaign, making five appearances and completing the full 90 minutes in both group-stage clashes against Al Masry and Zamalek. The consistent game time has boosted his confidence, and he’s delighted to be trusted with such responsibility—embracing the pressure, gaining valuable lessons and experience. However, he’s fully aware that turning these performances into crucial points remains a priority.
The Glamour Boys are yet to find convincing results in their CAF Confederations Cup group campaign. They opened their account with a 2–1 defeat to Al Masry in Egypt, before managing only a single point in their home fixture against Zamalek on Saturday — a match in which they had hoped to capitalise on home advantage.
Interestingly, in both encounters, Chiefs’ only moments of real threat came from an unexpected source, with right-back Dillan Solomons popping up as the unlikely goal contributor.
The Maroons picked up a crucial point on the road against the Tanzanian outfit, with the match ending 1–1 as they continue to assert their recognisable presence on the continental stage. However, Stellies were left frustrated on Sunday after the draw — a result that coach Steve Barker believes could have been very different with fairer officiating.
It was another day for a former Pirates star to play a crucial role in helping Gallants collect a point, and his display earned him Man of the Match recognition. Meanwhile, the draw means Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have extended their winless run to five games in regulation time. PSL is expected to run for weeks before it goes on a break to allow selected players to join their national teams for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
The Cape Winelands side travelled to Zanzibar for their Group C clash against their Tanzanian opponents at Amaan Stadium on Sunday, 30 November. Having opened this phase of the tournament with a 1‑0 win over AS Otoho d’Oyo, Stellies were determined to build on that momentum and reclaim top spot in the pool, keeping their continental ambitions firmly alive.
Despite the Glamour Boys fighting back to avoid another loss, the referee has been blamed for the outcome of the game between them and Egyptian heavyweights. The match official has been specifically blamed for two decisions that have now been viewed to have favoured the Soweto giants. The Glamour Boys were staring at what looked like another defeat, but a late goal handed them a sigh of relief.
The new signing finally earned his start for the Soweto giants, who were held to a draw in Polokwane by the Egyptian heavyweights. The technical bench probably wanted to tap into Maboe's experience on the continental stage as Chiefs engaged in their second Confederation Cup group game. After the match, the former Masandawana midfielder has been assessed.
