We ask the question whether the Belgian tactician is still the right man to lead South Africa to the World Cup? Or has his time at the helm of the national team come to a natural end after a series of questionable decisions around the make up of his squad and the First XI choices he made at the biennial tournament?
The two Amakhosi players have been under stern scrutiny for struggling to show up for some games in big moments when it matters the most for the Soweto giants. But they appear to have little backing from their representative who, however, has been seen fighting in the corner of a Buccaneers star who has been finding it difficult at the ongoing AFCON tournament.
The Premier Soccer League is currently among the best on the African continent, owing to the competitiveness seen and the value. Top and quality players from all over the world have been playing trade in the Mzansi top-flight football, with upcoming players also claiming a piece of the cake thanks to their displays.
In a match that was expected to help Bafana prepare adequately for AFCON, it ended up bringing an unexpected fear. A key player is now in a race against time to be fit just before the finals begin in Morocco. Should Oswin Appollis' injury fears be confirmed to be serious, Hugo Broos will be forced to look at his reserve list and pick a replacement.
The former Polokwane City winger is among the players who have been in a trajectory mode this season with the Buccaneers. The tricky player made the final squad for the biennial competition with the other eight players from the Sea Robbers, who are flying high in the Premier Soccer League. He, however, was injured against the Black Galaxies.
With two games before the Premier Soccer League takes a break, Amakhosi had a chance to go level with Orlando Pirates. They were held by Chippa United, and the second attempt was to beat TS Galaxy and go level with Mamelodi Sundowns, but they have also squandered that chance. Although Galaxy were reduced, the Glamour Boys failed to take advantage, as they were frustrated at Mbombela Stadium.
Amakhosi have another chance to close in on Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the league standings. After being held to a goalless draw by Chippa United, the Glamour Boys will be looking to return to winning ways. Chiefs are on a three-match winless run across competitions, given their last victory came against Orbit College in early November.
The Belgian mentor recently unveiled his final 25‑man squad set to carry South Africa’s hopes at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. With a blend of seasoned campaigners and rising talents, the group will aim to showcase resilience, unity and ambition on the continental stage as Bafana Bafana prepare to fly the national flag high in pursuit of glory.
As we reach the halfway mark of another PSL season, old failings are emerging for the Glamour Boys as they struggle to find cohesion in the final third. Is this a recruitment problem, a tactical issue or perhaps a complex combination of both?
Amakhosi endured a frustrating evening as they were held to a goalless stalemate by bottom‑placed Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Wednesday, December 3. Chiefs controlled large spells of possession and carved out chances but failed to convert, leaving them to settle for a single point in their Premier Soccer League away fixture.
After a gruelling start to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign, Amakhosi return to undertake their Premier Soccer League duties. At the top of their agenda is to win both games before the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) break in order to keep their winning run in the league going. Should the Glamour Boys manage to collect maximum points from the two games ahead, they will go level with Orlando Pirates point-wise.
Amakhosi clawed their way back to earn a 1-1 draw against Egyptian giants Zamalek in their second CAF Confederation Cup Group D clash at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 29 November. Chiefs are currently sitting third in the group with just a single point from two matches, needing momentum to spark their campaign.
Amakhosi welcomed their Egyptian opponents to the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 29 November, marking their first home clash in the continental competition’s group stages. The Soweto giants sought redemption after opening their campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Al Masry last weekend.
Amakhosi play their second Group D match on Saturday, hosting Zamalek at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, keen to bury the disappointment of last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Al Masry. Securing maximum points at home remains the Soweto giants' top priority as they look to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive. The coaches could tweak the starting lineup to try and correct the shortcomings they showed last weekend.
The Belgian has opened a wide, ambitious window with his preliminary AFCON squad - an orchestra of veterans, disruptors and bold prospects that must be cut to 27. The selections signal a team designed for multiple tempos: patience when games tighten, speed when they fracture and enough nerve to suffer. This is not a list; it’s the architecture of how Bafana want to win.
Anticipation is high as the Belgian coach edges closer to announcing his final squad for the continental competition. His provisional list has already offered a glimpse of what the final group could look like, sparking debate about the positions still up for grabs. Notably, four Amakhosi players have been included, and all eyes will be on whether they survive the final cut after the Soweto giants failed to contribute a single Bafana Bafana player at the last AFCON edition.
