A huge gap opened in the Buccaneers’ defence after the Bafana Bafana centre-back secured a move to Chicago Fire FC. Although the Soweto giants responded by signing Mpho Chabatsane, they remained reduced at the back following the exit of Olisa Ndah. That might have left coach Abdeslam Ouaddou needing a central defender.
South African football fans will be focusing on an exciting Premier Soccer League outing between log leaders Buccaneers who will be hosting the defending champions at FNB Stadium. A win for Abdeslam Ouaddou's side will extend the gap between the two teams to nine points. Currently, the Soweto giants have a six-point advantage over second-placed Masandawana.
The Buccaneers are set for yet another top-flight test as Bahlabane Ba Ntwa visit. The league leaders enjoy a 13-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, and this is a testament to how solid they have become since they last lost a game. Indeed, their last defeat came in the CAF Champions League when Saint-Eloi Lupopo eliminated them in a post-match penalty shootout contest in October 2025.
The Premier Soccer League momentum is in full swing, and the Sea Robbers lead the standings after 15 games. With Mamelodi Sundowns not far behind – only three points separate them - the Soweto giants would not want to drop points at this juncture of the season. After coming so close over the last seasons, the Buccaneers believe this is the time for them to end Masandawana's dominance in the top flight.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Soweto giants as they remain in Durban for clash with their opponents from Limpopo at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. They are keen to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2024 and missed out on an opportunity for a third straight title last season when they finished as runners-up. The Buccaneers are also bidding for this trophy for the 11th time and edge closer to Kaizer Chiefs who have won it 14 times.
After the disappointment of being runners-up last season and having their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs end their run of two successive triumphs in this competition, the Buccaneers are keen on reclaiming this trophy this season. They come up against their Limpopo opponents, who were the champions of this tournament in 2021.
The 22-year-old central defender is in his third season playing Premier Soccer League football and is enjoying his maiden campaign with the Buccaneers after joining the club ahead of the current season. He wasted no time in cementing his place in the starting line-up, delivering impressive performances at the back. His rise even saw Nkosinathi Sibisi relegated to the bench as he struck up a solid centre-back partnership with Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
The Buccaneers winger was named as the best player on the pitch after they defeated Marumo Gallants 1-0 in the final of the Beer Cup at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. However, his award that comes with R100,000 sparked debate as some fans believed other players performed better than him as the Soweto giants claimed their second trophy of the season.
The Sea Robbers are set for their 10th final in the Carling Knockout when they will take on Bahlabane Ba Ntwa at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. This is also a chance for Bucs to seal another cup, three months after defending the MTN8 trophy. The cup final is a duel between a Pirates side that is quite consistent and a Gallants side that has struggled and is winless for several games.
Durban City are gearing up for a fierce showdown when they host a ruthless Soweto outfit at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. The Durban side will be hoping to sign off their final home match of the first half of the 2025/26 campaign in style and, with a bit of luck, push themselves up into fourth place.
Meanwhile, Pirates will arrive intent on guarding their winning streak and ensuring their momentum doesn’t take a knock.
After picking up yet another Premier Soccer League win against Chippa United, Bucs will be hunting for more points when they visit Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday to face Durban City. The Sea Robbers are on a three-match winning run across all competitions, and the game against the PSL debutants is a chance for them to make it four straight wins. There was a sigh of relief for Pirates after Makhehlene Makhaula came back from a long-term injury, and the experienced midfielder featured against Chippa at Orlando Stadium, although as a second-half substitute.
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 Bafana defender is reportedly on his way to Major League Soccer, with Chicago Fire rumoured to be his next home. With the debate over the defender's imminent speculated move dominating headlines, the question on many lips is who is going to replace him. Mbokazi, within a short period of time, managed to become Bucs' top star, and his exit, when it is finally confirmed, will leave a huge gap in the team.
After the FIFA international break, the Buccaneers are back at Orlando Stadium to entertain the Chilli Boys, knowing a win might put them on top of the table, depending on the number of goals they score. The Sea Robbers are chasing a double, having claimed a 3-0 win in their previous meeting staged at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Soweto giants are hoping to mount a serious challenge for the Premier Soccer League title this season under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. They might have started the league campaign on a poor note with back-to-back defeats, but they have since come good and look like a team prepared to go the distance.
Expectations were high when the Sea Robbers unveiled the signing of the 25‑year‑old at the start of the 2025/26 season, with many believing he could add fresh energy to the Buccaneers’ attacking midfield. Yet only a few months into his tenure, sections of the Ghost faithful have voiced criticism, questioning his impact and consistency as he works to settle into life at Pirates.
