The Soweto giants set the ball rolling in their quest to defend the most prestigious knockout competition in South African football. They come up against the Cape Winelands side, who booted them out of the Carling Knockout in October 2025 and would want to avoid another upset at the hands of the same opponents when the two teams meet on Wednesday.
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.
Despite boasting eight forwards in their squad, Amakhosi have still been found wanting when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net. Alarm bells have rung that, with a truly prolific scorer, the Soweto giants might be much further ahead in their season. Their coach has since responded to the growing concerns over the club’s goalscoring woes.
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.
Amakhosi now face the same opponents who knocked them out of the Carling Knockout four months ago. That tightly contested encounter was decided by penalties as both teams struggled to separate each other after extra time. The two teams now meet again in another Cup showdown, with plenty at stake as both have entered a crucial stage of the season.
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 27-year-old last played a competitive football match in November 2025 while on loan at Orbit College from Orlando Pirates. He was playing while carrying an injury before his thigh strain eventually took a toll on him. Now having found a new home at Chloorkop, he is still waiting to make his maiden appearance for Masandawana.
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.
Trouble continues to build at Chloorkop, unsettling a fanbase that once knew nothing but dominance and trophies. A club that ruled South African football and consistently pushed the limits now finds itself stuck in a worrying decline. As uncertainty grows and pressure mounts, the former Liberian international has stepped forward to point out what he believes is the real cause of the slump and to suggest a clear way forward.
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 Sea Robbers are set for a top-of-the-table clash with Arthur Zwane's Usuthu on Tuesday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. A win for either side takes them to the top of the league standings. We have a look at how Abdeslam Ouaddou might line up his men, hoping to get maximum points.
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.
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.
In a bid to make themselves a competitive outfit in PSL and in Africa, Masandawana have always crossed the borders to bring on board players. Whereas some have come and left an impact, others have flopped despite high expectations that came with their arrival. In the off-season and mid-season transfer windows, Downs have followed the same script as they aim to collect more trophies.
Mokwena's charges registered their first win in the group to close in on Masandawana, who dropped points against Al Hilal. The Sudanese giants lead by a sizeable margin, but for Downs, MC Alger and Lupopo, the race to win the quarter-final ticket remains a tight affair.
The Buccaneers head honcho’s leadership of the league has divided opinion, with some accusing him of being a strongman who instils fear in his colleagues. However, others have come to his defence, describing him as more accommodating in his approach to issues.
The player reportedly lost his life on Sunday, throwing the football family into a sombre mood. The defender joined Stellies following the relegation of Cape Town Spurs. His club is, however, yet to comment on the tragic incident that is reported to have occurred in Cape Town.
The 22-year-old midfielder clocked 100 official matches for the Soweto giants when they edged ZESCO United 1-0 in a CAF Confederation Cup tie at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday. He came on as a second-half substitute to play the last 32 minutes, but could not score or provide an assist on his career special day. He reached the century milestone when his Orlando Pirates opposite number is now on 108 appearances for the Buccaneers with 20 goals and 26 assists.
With a slot in the quarter-finals looking possible, it means Amakhosi will deal with a more congested calendar going forward. The Glamour Boys are also firmly in the Premier Soccer League title race, meaning their focus is divided as the season hits a crucial stage. The Nedbank Cup campaign also awaits the Soweto giants later, and it is a competition they will not want to lose, but can they withstand the pressure that comes with congested fixtures?
Masandawana are playing catch-up, trying hard to close the gap between them and in-form Bucs. Meanwhile, inconsistent Amakhosi are staring at the prospect of losing the trophy, which was historically won last season.
After they started the group stage campaign with a loss, Amakhosi managed back-to-back victories, massively boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stage. The Glamour Boys completed a double over their continental rivals from Zambia after their last victory in Ndola. For Zega Mambo, the struggle continues as they remain winless, pointless and rooted at the bottom of the group.
The first round of South Africa's premier knockout competition is set to kick-off on February 4, with some interesting match-ups on the cards. Defending champions Amakhosi and other participants now know when their fixtures are and the venues where they will play their games. This is a prestigious competition that comes with a ticket to play CAF Confederation Cup football next season.
Amakhosi have released two players in the ongoing short January transfer window, hoping they get regular play-time to stand a chance of featuring for the senior team in the future. The Glamour Boys have not added any big names to their playing unit despite chasing major titles. Interestingly, both Masandawana and Bucs have brought in new faces.
Not sure how Bucs would cope with Lamine Yamal or Ousmane Dembele or Kylian Mbappe running at them but all that really matters is this young man believes in his team and their ability to weave magic on the football field.
After losing out on the league title, CAF Champions League and Nedbank Cup in his final weeks in charge, the Spanish coach lost his intensity which led to immediate problems when he took on the Red Devils hotseat.
Thabiso Motloung lets rip at the 'ugly' situation the Brazilian found himself in and wonders how the global football governing body and clubs will navigate a world where players can unilaterally tear up their contracts and move on.
The Bucs Moroccan coach questioned whether the No10 role was suitable for the 20-year-old but was coy on the transfer speculation surrounding the youngster.
