The South African legend has identified the three players he believes should replace the talented centre-back if he fails to recover in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the former Kaizer Chiefs defender struggling for fitness following a series of injury setbacks in Romania, North America might come too soon for the 28-year-old.
The South African national team have many players to select from when it comes to protecting the goalkeeper, but the veteran Belgian has been urged to consider one Bucs star who has been excellent this season. With barely two months to the World Cup, it is interesting to see whether the technical team will consider him.
Abdelsalam Ouaddou’s charges came into the clash looking to keep the winning run alive, but a red-hot 24-year-old winger who clearly has the Soweto teams figured out, alongside Papi Zothwane, flipped the script, shutting down the Buccaneers’ push to climb to the summit in the absence of the Tshwane giants, who are in pursuit of the CAF Champions League, as the spoils were shared on Friday night.
The Buccaneers have been ruthless in attack, as well as defensively solid, in recent South African top-tier matches they have been playing. Currently, the Soweto giants have the best defensive record in Mzansi as well as the best in taking chances, which gives them a massive chance to beat the defending champions to the crown this season.
After a huge win over TS Galaxy, Orlando Pirates return to Premier Soccer League action. A win over Abafana Bes'thende will help the Sea Robbers go back to the top of the table. This is a game that the Soweto giants will not afford to lose, as they need points that will firmly keep them in the title race.
The Sea Robbers desperately need to bounce back from the 1-1 draw against Siwelele when they face the Rockets on Sunday at the Mbombela Stadium. With Mamelodi Sundowns on CAF Champions League duties, victory for the Soweto giants will send them to the top of the Premier League table with 51 points, one more than the defending champions.
The Belgian tactician has named his preliminary squad ahead of the friendly games against Panama later in March. The games have been lined up as part of Bafana's preparations for the global football bonanza in the middle of this year. Already, the coach's preliminary squad has been analysed, and questions have arisen on who should be in and who does not deserve a place in it.
The Sea Robbers return to action after a midweek victory that propelled them to the top of the Premier Soccer League table. The hard-fought win over Richards Bay ensured that the Buccaneers maintained a close gap with Mamelodi Sundowns, although an insignificant goal difference separates the two rivals. As Masandawana focus on the CAF Champions League, the Soweto giants are hunting for league points over the weekend.
The Sea Robbers will be back in action on Wednesday after a morale-boosting win over the Glamour Boys in the Soweto derby. Against Rise and Shine, Bucs will need more points in order to keep pace with Mamelodi Sundowns in the tight Premier Soccer League title race.
The Buccaneers will host the Natal Rich Boyz at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Wednesday. The KwaZulu-Natal side will come in high on confidence, having secured three points against Kaizer Chiefs in their last league match. However, for the Sea Robbers, every point is crucial at this stage, and they are laser-focused on the title race, while the visitors are striving to climb the standings and secure a coveted top-eight finish.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will be making his debut in the country's biggest fixture of the season, hoping to bounce back from recent back-to-back losses. However, it will not be easy against the Glamour Boys, who will be avoiding a third straight loss across all competitions. The game will be staged at the iconic FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Sea Robbers are up against a lower division team again in South Africa's premier knockout competition. They are out to reclaim a trophy they last won in 2024 under Jose Riveiro. The Soweto giants would also want to atone for being this competition's losing finalists last season after rivals Kaizer Chiefs denied them a chance to shine on the podium.
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.