After being held back by Orlando Pirates through Cemran Dansin's spectacular strike, Masandawana are back in action, looking for a return to winning ways. The Tshwane giants hope to win and keep the top position as Bucs, Chiefs, and Sekhukhune United pile pressure on them. In pursuit of a win, Downs will be without Miguel Reisinho, who is suspended, but Teboho Mokoena is back.
Although Bafana saw their points reduced for fielding the Masandawana star, they fought hard in the remaining qualifiers to seal their place in the 2026 finals. The South African Sports Minister has acknowledged there was a blunder but has defended the team manager, saying he has taken responsibility. McKenzie has also revealed the amount of bonuses Bafana players will get for the AFCON and World Cup finals.
Latest reports suggest the South African Football Association has opted for a bold move: finalising the Teboho Mokoena yellow card blunder via internal ballot. The decision could have major implications for Tseka, whose oversight during the Lesotho qualifier remains under scrutiny.
The Brazilians' depth faces a stern test amid the absence of key players from the squad due to a number of reasons. They threw away a lead to be held by the Buccaneers in Tshwane on Saturday. Masandawana's Portuguese coach talks about how the absentees affected them.
GOAL gives you the details to follow Masandawana's hosting of the Soweto giants in a Premier Soccer League match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The Brazilians lead the standings and are three points ahead of fourth-placed Buccaneers who need to win by a five-goal margin to go on top of the table.
Masandawana will be up against the Soweto giants as both sides resume league duties after taking part in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round games. Top on the Brazilians' target is a revenge against Bucs, who eliminated them from the MTN8 tournament.
The Brazilians will approach one of their most highly anticipated games without a key figure in their squad, as the 28-year-old is set to miss the match after picking up his fourth yellow card.
The caution came in the dying minutes of the Carling Knockout Cup clash against Marumo Gallants, a moment that has forced the coach to rethink his options.
GOAL gives you the details to follow Madandawana's hosting of the Sky Blue in this CAF Champions League second preliminary round, second leg at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday. Having recorded a big win away in Nigeria last week, Masandawana are likely to have an easy afternoon but at the same time wary of a big upset.
The Tshwane giants head into the game confident, given the kind of results they registered away from home. The technical bench must be mulling over whether to deploy their usual first teamers or deploy other players who have not been regularly used in order to prove themselves.
GOAL gives you the details to follow Madandawana's first match in the CAF Champions League this season. They face their Nigerian hosts at MKO Abiola International Stadium on Sunday as they begin the quest to atone for last season's heartbreaking near-miss in the Champions League when they reached the final but lost to Egyptian moneybags Pyramids FC.
Masandawana will be seeking redemption following their elimination from the domestic competition, the Carling Knockout Cup. After falling at the ultimate stage last season to Pyramids FC, Downs hope to win their second continental star this time around.
The world football governing body is strongly against governments meddling in the running of affairs by football associations. That invites some scrutiny on the way South Africa's sports minister has been interested in the happenings at SAFA. The CAF boss has his say on the issue.
The matter involving the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder threatened to block South Africa from qualifying for the global football competition. That left the player himself, SAFA and the team manager under sharp criticism for the way they handled the issue which almost put to waste the work done by Hugo Broos' side.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has been trending for the last six or so months after being fielded against Lesotho despite being suspended. It almost cost the national team a ticket to compete with the best in the world, but the players fought to ensure it wasn't the case as South Africa eventually topped Group C to get an automatic slot.
From early promise to a costly points deduction, and a final-day showdown that left the nation breathless, South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign was a rollercoaster of brilliance, blunders and bold performances. It was a journey shaped by pressure, resilience and moments that won’t be forgotten.
After a goalless draw with Zimbabwe last Friday night, South Africa needed a win over Amavubi in Mbombela and hoped Nigeria would beat Benin in Uyo. Fate smiled on Hugo Broos’ side. The Belgian coach led Bafana Bafana to the global showpiece, marking their first successful World Cup qualifying campaign in 24 years.
