The defending Premier Soccer League champions are working hard to ensure they have enough depth. Apart from the domestic assignments, the Brazilians are hoping to win the CAF Champions League after falling in last season's final to Pyramids. Coach Miguel Cardoso is under pressure to deliver, explaining the new arrivals.
Tension between Downs and their fans' supporters continues to boil up because of the team's underwhelming performance. During the CAF Champions League game, which ended in a 2-2 draw at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, fans protested by chanting 'Pitso, Pitso. The club's sporting director was also subjected to harassment, and on Tuesday, Sundowns condemned those acts.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Benson Mhlongo has hit out at fans demanding the Portuguese coach's head after their 2-2 draw with Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League, insisting a mid-season switch would spell disaster.
With Masandawana struggling for consistent and impressive performance, the fans have expressed their frustrations in various ways, including blocking the team's bus in the past. After another frustrating outcome in the continental competition against the Sudanese giants, the club's head coach, Miguel Cardoso, and sporting director, Flemming Berg, were the targets of fans' protests. Now, the Pretoria-based outfit has vowed to take legal or disciplinary action against the fans involved in the incident reported on Friday.
Mokwena's trophy dream faced a new storm after a second loss in the continental competition. Now with just a point, MC Alger's ambition of reaching the knockout stage is uncertain after dropping points once again. According to the South African tactician, his side did not challenge their rivals, whom he says were simply the better team on the day.
The blow has come at a time when the South African's multiple-title dream was boosted by a domestic trophy won a few days ago. Although Mokwena's campaign on the domestic front looks promising, he has struggled to find good form in the continental competition. Now, his side is facing what looks like an imminent elimination from Africa's premier inter-club competition.
Pressure is mounting on the Brazilians’ coach as he struggles to convince supporters that he can deliver success at the club. Having gone into the 2025 AFCON break already under fire from fans, the Portuguese tactician is back in the furnace after failing to beat the Sudanese giants on Friday. Now, his players are being accused of actions that could amount to sabotage.
After starting the year on a bright note with a 2-0 Premier Soccer League victory over Orbit College, the Brazilians then stumbled and dropped points at home in their continental fixture against the Sudanese giants. That piles more pressure on their Portuguese coach whose job appears to be on the line.
The South African winger is enjoying his football again after struggles with Orlando Pirates and the defending Premier Soccer League champions. The 32-year-old delivered in the Botola Pro League before inviting suitors from other countries. Nyoso is now set for a new challenge, hoping to sustain his form.
Masandawana's quest to get maximum points against Blue Wave was unsuccessful as they ended up not capitalising on the home ground advantage. This was their second game in a row in Group C that they have failed to collect maximum points following their 0-0 draw with MC Alger of Rhulani Mokwena in Matchday two. The Brazilians have now managed a win and two draws in their pool.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions have been working hard to ensure they retain their quality players. Masandawana are hoping to retain their South African top-flight crown despite winning it for the last eight seasons in a row. Furthermore, the Brazilians hope to make a statement in the Nedbank Cup as well as the CAF Champions League.
The experienced South African tactician has revisited his time with Al Ahly and said the African football governing body denied him a chance to make history with the Egyptian giants. The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician led the Red Devils to three Champions League finals but lost the third one. Now he has pointed fingers at those he said are to blame.
The two-year tradition is set to end after the 2028 edition, and the decision to shift the continental tournament continues to attract criticism and applause almost in equal measure. For long, African football fans knew that the competition would be held biennially, and this wait will be prolonged given the recent decision made and announced by CAF's president, Patrice Motsepe. Now, one of Africa's most experienced and most respected coaches has shared his concerns, blasting the people in charge at CAF.
Masandawana are set to face one of their toughest challenges so far in the competition, as they are about to tackle an unbeaten opponent. The Pretoria giants resumed their campaign this year with a convincing win over Orbit College in the Premier Soccer League, and now the focus is on the continental campaign. The PSL heavyweights know they must make use of home advantage and open the gap in Group C, thus boosting their chance of reaching the knockout stage.
The Brazilians are back to continue with their bid to be crowned African champions for the first time since 2016 and they welcome their Sudanese opponents to Loftus Versfeld on Friday. Important for Masandawana is maintaining their Group C lead as they host a team they are tied on four points with, as goal difference separates the two sides.
In a bid to allow some of their players to leave and get playtime, Bucs have released the two to their stars' league rivals. In the off-season transfer window, the Sea Robbers signed more than 10 players, and their strengthening mission has also continued in the mid-season window. With a huge playing squad, it is natural that some players will play more than others, and the fringe ones have been sent out on short-term deals.
After selling their prized asset, the Rockets managed a convincing win in their first game without the South African player. The attacker left the club and signed for Chicago Fire in the Major Soccer League, and his former team looked solid despite missing his vital services. The challenge for Galaxy now is whether they can keep the tempo or they will falter on the road and miss Dithejane's creativity in the final third.
The Western Cape team picked up crucial points on Tuesday evening with a victory over Sekhukhune United on their home turf, slowly moving themselves out of the relegation danger zone. The result marked former Kaizer Chiefs coach's first win in charge and a positive start to his tenure, although he was quick to raise fitness concerns regarding the players from Tshwane.
Since he was a teenager, the forward showed the potential of developing into a top player. Now, just 21, after making his presence felt in the Premier Soccer League, the South African star is set for an entirely new challenge after signing for Chicago Fire. Even before he was signed by the Major Soccer League side, he was a subject of intense interest from PSL giants Amakhosi and Masandawana.
The Citizens have introduced new additions to the KwaZulu-Natal team on a loan from Babina Noko, aiming to inject new energy into their attack. With the team hoping to make an impression of finishing inside the top eight, all eyes will be on the duo to see if they can hit the ground running and help Sinethemba Badela' side to make a statement in Mzansi’s top flight.
The winger completed a surprise move to the Brazilians from the Soweto giants, catching many off guard, including Masandawana players and Orbit College FC where he was on loan. The transfer was finalised while Orbit College heavily relied on him as a key figure in the team in their bid to maintain their Premier Soccer League status for next season. However, he will have to wait a bit longer before making his Masandawana debut.
The 19-year-old burst onto the big stage impressively and has underlined Masandawana’s depth at left-back. His presence and performances could pose a huge challenge to more established players, including Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ first-choice option and Divine Lunga. With Fawaaz Basadien and Asekho Tiwani also in the mix, competition for a regular place in that position is set to intensify at Chloorkop.
The former Orlando Pirates coach has gone on to create history beyond Mzansi borders, with the 39-year-old tactician once again underlining his pedigree. Having already shown his capability during his spells at Mayfair and Chloorkop, the latest cup triumph with his current side came as no surprise to Pitso Mosimane, who had long foreseen Mokwena’s success and publicly backed him when he appointed him as his assistant at Sundowns.
Masandawana have developed the habit of strengthening their squad by entering the South American market looking for the best talent. This mission to South America has seen them get, sometimes, good players, but at times, the signed stars flopped. The best talent from South America that has served Sundowns impeccably includes Lucas Ribeiro, but some have struggled and left without making indelible marks.
After an unfortunate turn of events at Portuguese Primeira Liga side, Masandawana winger is now set to find a fresh start for the remainder of the season. His agent has confirmed that the 26-year-old can be expected to settle into his new club by next week, as plans for his move seem to be promising.
The Brazilians have been active in the transfer window with Monnapule Saleng and Brayan Leon already announced. But this fan's major concern is securing a replacement for 'Mshishi' and he thinks TS Galaxy's 21-year-old sensation would be the perfect candidate.
Al Hilal Omdurman
