Five months into his tenure at the Bloemfontein outfit, Alexandre Lafitte has already driven the side to a major cup final. On Saturday, 6 December, the stage shifts to Polokwane where they clash with the mighty Buccaneers in the Carling Knockout Cup showdown - a battle for silverware and a shot at history.
The Buccaneers coach has applauded his players for dominating the South Africa final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The Soweto giants have provided nine players to Hugo Broos' 25-member selection that will head to the continental competition. This sees The Ghost taking over from the Brazilians who used to dominate the national side at the last edition.
The Bafana defender has signed with the Major League Soccer side, and the confirmation of his move came just days before a second cup final for Pirates this season. The 20-year-old centre-back was a pivotal player in Bucs' campaign, and appearing in the final should be a befitting goodbye for his efforts. As the Sea Robbers hunt for another trophy, only Gallants stand between them and the cup glory.
The towering centre forward stamped his authority in a nationwide tournament. The Urban Warriors product has given a glimpse of what he could offer the Tshwane giants. Meanwhile, Bucs are close to reinforcing their squad with the signing of a talented defender after losing Mbokazi.
The Buccaneers continue to produce a high number of quality players through their developmental structures. While some of these youngsters have successfully broken into the first team, several others have been sent out on loan to gain valuable experience. However, one of their players has now left the club.
The former Bucs coach is in South Africa as a brand advocate for Carling Black Label, the sponsors of the Carling Knockout Cup, and shared his thoughts on the impact the Belgian tactician has had on the national team.
A huge chunk of players that will represent Mzansi in the continental showpiece come from the Soweto giants. But before the players leave for AFCON, they have a crucial duty for the club. A date with destiny awaits them as they will face Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup final.
The Denmark-based player continues to be overlooked by South Africa coach Hugo Broos despite his consistent performances overseas. Even when the 27-year-old wing-back hits top form for his club, the 2017 AFCON-winning trainer shows little trust in including him in his plans. It has become increasingly clear that Broos does not hold him in high regard, leaving many to question what more the player must do to earn a call-up.
After days of intense speculation, the defender's move has now been announced by his new side. The Mzansi star, who has been an impressive figure for both the Premier Soccer League giants and the national team, becomes the second youngest gem to leave the Soweto giants after Mohau Nkota. The Major League Soccer side has also revealed the contract details of the defender.
The retired Sea Robber has stated he keeps tabs on the club's development and is happy with how the Soweto giants are doing. The Bucs legend has also said he is thankful to the club for how it has helped him live a decent life, and were it not for them, his life would have been worse. Among the players he fondly follows is Mofokeng, a promising forward within the club's ranks.
After back-to-back CAF Confederation Cup games, Amakhosi return to domestic assignments as a Premier Soccer League game awaits them on Wednesday. Should the Glamour Boys win their two games before the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals break, they will be level with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at the top of the PSL table. The Sea Robbers overtook Mamelodi Sundowns after beating Durban City.
The KwaZulu-Natal club has made a major decision on their coach just before Premier Soccer League teams go for the AFCON break. It comes as no surprise that they dismissed the former Amakhosi tactician, especially after reports indicated that his departure was imminent. He joins a list of this season's casualties, Luc Eymael and Sinethemba Badela were also shown the exit door by Chippa United.
When Broos named his final squad for the AFCON finals, there was not much surprise because he maintained the core players who have always dominated his teams. Amakhosi stars were once again snubbed, although Mduduzi Shabalala was named among the reserve players. In recent times, Orlando Pirates have been contributing a huge chunk of players to the national side, a privilege enjoyed by Mamelodi Sundowns before.
After a long wait, the Belgian has now named the players he will take to Morocco in the hunt for yet another continental trophy for South Africa. As usual, his selection has divided opinion as fans and pundits debate who should be in the squad and who should not be. The former Cameroon head coach has now explained why he selected two skillful attackers.
The Bucs vice-captain has been one of the standout performers in the Premier Soccer League, firmly cementing his place in the Buccaneers’ camp while also making waves in the Bafana Bafana setup as a reliable centre-back. His performances have spoken for themselves, and it comes as no surprise that he is now heavily linked with a move to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
The Buccaneers are desperate to end their lengthy Premier Soccer League [PSL] title drought, and this season, it appears they have a golden opportunity. The Soweto giants are currently in the driver’s seat as far as the title race is concerned, and they have it all in their hands to ensure they finish at the top.
The Buccaneers, three points clear of Masandawana at the summit, stretched their unbeaten league run to 10 matches with a decisive 2‑0 victory over Durban City. The clash, played on Saturday, 29 November, marked their final Premiership outing of 2025, sending Pirates into the Africa Cup of Nations break firmly in contention for the title.
The Buccaneers are threatening what had become the order of the league as Masandawana dominated season in, season out. The Brazilians' record-extending Premier Soccer League titles could be stopped by the Soweto giants who have presented their title credentials as determined contenders. Making the Ghost favourites to be crowned champions is how they have reached this stage of the season without allowing the Tshwane giants to pull away on the standings. They are currently on a 10-match unbeaten run in the league, a bold statement about their seriousness of the biggest trophy in South African football.
The Buccaneers are riding high after climbing to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings, three points clear of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Their rise was sealed from a decisive 2‑0 victory over Durban City at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 29 November, a result that confirmed Pirates’ place at the summit.
By picking up yet another win, the Sea Robbers are building up perfect momentum for the Carling Knockout Cup final against Marumo Gallants. Against Durban City, players showed individual brilliance and team brilliance, a testament that Abdeslam Ouadou's rotation policy could be working. Although they started the season struggling, the Sea Robbers have made their way to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings and are now sending a clear signal that they are serious title contenders.
As Bucs eye yet another trophy this season, they might chase the domestic glory without players who have been phenomenal for them. It largely depends on how head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will play his cards in regard to the players in danger of missing the cup final. Their opponents are also not safe, as they could also miss equally crucial players for the final.
The Soweto giants are steadily taking over the South African national team by sheer demand, and it comes as no surprise — their form and squad depth speak for themselves. They became the first side in the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season to lift a trophy. Despite the CAF Champions League setback, they are already chasing more success as they prepare to feature in the Carling Knockout Cup final next month.
They also sit level on 25 points with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns on the league table, separated only by goal difference.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach was full of praise for the current state of South Africa’s displays on the bigger stages. Bafana Bafana recently reaped the rewards of their hard work by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will next month take the stage at the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Amajimbos bowed out of the FIFA U-17 World Cup earlier this month, and the senior women’s national team is busy preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations [WAFCON].
This was the remaining crucial piece of information regarding the domestic competition whose ultimate duel will go down on December 6 in Polokwane. The organisers of the tournament had already announced that Peter Mokaba Stadium would host the final game involving the PSL clubs. Now, it is all systems go as football fanatics await to see who will be crowned the winner as Bucs eye their second domestic trophy.
Apart from the aforementioned duo, the Sea Robbers are missing the services of Thabiso Sesane, who made his name with the club under Jose Riveiro. The Soweto giants have shared some encouraging news as the Buccaneers continue their chase for top domestic honours, a couple of weeks after elimination from the CAF Champions League.
The former Bucs coach is in South Africa as a brand advocate for Carling Black Label, the sponsors of the Carling Knockout Cup, and spoke to the media about his time at the Sowetan giants and his desire to see the club be successful.
The 28-year-old midfielder has had quite a journey through the football ranks, having first made a name for himself at the now-defunct Bidvest Wits before joining Al Ahly and later being loaned to Masandawana, where he won the hearts of the South African football community. His rise continued, but his dream was short-lived due to alleged off-field issues.
However, he now finds himself at the mercy of the Mpumalanga side, where he will have to convince the technical team that he is worthy of another chance on the field, having been spotted training with the club on Thursday morning.
The Sea Robbers and Bahlabane Ba Ntwa are set to fight for the bragging rights of the domestic competition on December 6. Riveiro, who did not win the trophy while in charge of Bucs, has revealed his expectation for the ultimate clash between the Premier Soccer League sides. The Buccaneers will be looking to win their second domestic trophy after defending the MTN8 earlier in the season.
The 50-year-old tactician enjoyed a relatively successful campaign with the Sea Robbers during his time with them before leaving for the Red Devils. He has since explained his decision to leave the Buccaneers, who needed him to stay, owing to the relationship they had built in the three years of association.
'Master Chef' has done his thing in several kitchens across the Premier Soccer League, but never really settled anywhere long enough to make a lasting impression. We all know the talent is there, but is the former South Africa youth international able to put in the hard yards to produce the consistent performances needed for club and country in a critical year for South African football?
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