Amakhosi are on their next mission to remind the football community that they, too, belong among Africa’s giants as they prepare to travel to face Al Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages on Sunday. The 29-year-old centre-back confidently stated that Chiefs will show they are a big team in this campaign, backed by the hard work and intensity of their current preparations.
The Glamour Boys captain has been one of the most important players for the Soweto giants in the ongoing 2025/26 season. They are not only chasing the Premier Soccer League crown, but are also in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Stellenbosch, who reached the semi-final last season.
As the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals draw closer, Bafana Bafana managed a morale-boosting victory against Zambia during a friendly match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. South Africa's win comes just days after head coach Hugo Broos found himself in yet another storm following his player selection. The Belgian overlooked in-form Thembinkosi Lorch and Amakhosi stars who have been brilliant in the season, but the win is set to cushion him from the pressure he has been dealing with.
The Amakhosi goalkeeper has impressively kept seven clean sheets in 11 games this season, and he tops all other custodians in the PSL so far. Despite this form, he continues to be overlooked by the South Africa national team coach, Hugo Broos. Legend Doctor Khumalo is among those voicing strong support, insisting that Petersen fully deserves the national team nod.
Broos yet again found himself on the receiving end of intense criticism after he named his final squad to take on Chipolopolo in an international friendly game. The Belgian failed to include a single player from Naturena, even though some Amakhosi players have been doing well in the current season. Khumalo, a Bafana legend, has named a star he believes deserved a call-up because he says the player has been outstanding.
The Amakhosi goalkeeping department and their backline appear to have improved this season. They have kept an impressive 10 clean sheets in 16 matches across all competitions to establish themselves as a solid defensive structure after seasons of being criticized for being leaky. This defensive solidity could be key for the Soweto giants this season and give them a competitive edge as they bid for trophies. However, one of their goalkeepers has now been injured.
The 73-year-old Belgian has less than a year to serve Mzansi before leaving the footballing scene and focusing on his family. With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming, the former Cameroon head coach is reluctant to gamble with his squad, opting to stick to the players who have been doing the job.
After returning to winning ways, Amakhosi are keen to keep the run going since they must ensure they are not lagging far behind their title rivals. However, Monnapule Saleng's Orbit College, who have won their last two league games, are expected to give them a challenge. Amakhosi will be forced to make changes with one of their key players suspended.
Over the past few Premier Soccer League seasons, the Soweto giants have struggled to find a consistent and reliable figure between the posts. Goalkeeping has arguably been their second major weakness, right after the striking department. However, with just over ten league matches played, the 31-year-old has stepped up impressively. Although he insists that personal accolades and statistics are not his main focus at the moment.
The Soweto giants travel to KwaZulu-Natal for a date with their former coach, Gavin Hunt. Having failed to win their last four Premier Soccer League games, Amakhosi are under pressure to pick themselves up and collect maximum points on the road and stay in contention for the league title.
The Belgian tactician has started preparations for the biennial continental competition to be played in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. The 73-year-old named his preliminary squad for the forthcoming international break in November, where he is expected to try some tactics and have a look at some new call-ups in his bid to expand the team's depth.
GOAL gives you the details to follow Amakhosi's CAF Confederation Cup hosting of their Congolese opponents on Sunday at Dobsonville Stadium. This is a second preliminary round, second leg match with the two teams going into this game carrying a 0-0 draw from the reverse leg in Lubumbashi.
The Glamour Boys are set for another assignment on Sunday as they host AS Simba in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup's second preliminary round to be staged at the Dobsnville Stadium. The initial meeting at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi ended goalless, meaning a win of any kind for Amakhosi will send them to the Group Stage.
Former Glamour Boys midfielder Yusuf Maart was serving as the club's captain before leaving a couple of months ago for Austria's Bundesliga, where he is turning out for SV Ried. The centre-backs have been captaining the team since then, but the technical team, led by co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, has made changes.
GOAL gives you the details to follow Amakhosi's Premier Soccer League hosting of Siwelele FC at FNB Stadium on Wednesday. It will be their ninth league match of the season as they seek to catch up with log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played two games more than them. Six points separate Masandawana and fourth-placed Chiefs.
After concentrating on a CAF Confederation Cup assignment against AS Simba last weekend, Amakhosi now switch attention to domestic matters. They host Siwelele FC at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, pushing to end a two-match winless run in the Premier Soccer League and stay in contention for the title.
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