There’s no doubt, Mzansi football is on the up. One just needs to take one look at the performances of Bafana Bafana over the last few years. Since Hugo Broos took charge, the national team has improved significantly, and the recent nominations of SA players at the CAF Awards were a testament to that fact.
Amakhosi have been under pressure to produce players who go on to take South African football by storm. A number of their players have come close to reaching that, while others are still on their way to becoming big. The likes of Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala are still on the rise, with a lot of promise in them. However, others like Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Wandile Duba cannot be ruled out from improving to fulfil the promise they showed.
Amakhosi co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef have a wide range of players to make the starting team, explaining why a few new players have not tasted competitive football despite joining the Soweto giants months ago. The tacticians have been urged to consider a former Portuguese-based left-back who has been in the cold since he joined The Glamour Boys back in July.
The Premier Soccer League has acknowledged the efforts to introduce the technology-aided officiating system, but has raised fundamental questions. The funding model remains a key issue of concern for the league, and according to Khoza, PSL cannot make any contribution on the matter at this juncture. PSL's stance comes at a time when there is a raging debate on what VAR model to implement and when to do it.
The South Africa legend and former Manchester United coach was humiliated with his East African team against the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions, the Lions of Teranga, in an international outing staged in Turkey. It was a wake-up call for the 48-year-old who is expected to be at the helm when the country host the 2027 biennial competition.
Every time the celebrated South African tactician takes on a new responsibility, he moves further away from the ‘dream’ union with one of Mzansi’s most famous clubs - Chiefs. If you ask just about any Chiefs fan who is the man they would prefer to occupy the hot seat, the most common answer would be none other than Mosimane.
The Premier Soccer League side has found itself in FIFA's hot soup after failing to pay their all-time leading scorer, whom they controversially parted ways with in May. This is a huge blow for the club because the ban will deny them a chance to sign new players and strengthen in order to remain competitive. However, they have a chance of cleaning up the mess if they settle the money owed to the Zimbabwean star.
Amakhosi will embark on a historical journey in the Confederation Cup after reaching the group stage for the first time in their history. However, they face tougher opponents that include former champions and Egyptian heavyweights Zamalek SC, as well as Zambian giants Zesco United. The Glamour Boys are expected to travel to Egypt for their group opening game against Al Masry on Sunday.
Amakhosi have been told what to expect from the highly-rated youngster and it has been stated that he needs special treatment from the coaches. The starlet returned to Naturena in mid-October and is yet to make his highly anticipated Amakhosi debut. However, the teenager must pull up his socks if he has to get slots in the starting line-ups, given stiff competition at the club.
Amakhosi are on their next mission to remind the football community that they, too, belong among Africa’s giants as they prepare to travel to face Al Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup group stages on Sunday. The 29-year-old centre-back confidently stated that Chiefs will show they are a big team in this campaign, backed by the hard work and intensity of their current preparations.
The Glamour Boys captain has been one of the most important players for the Soweto giants in the ongoing 2025/26 season. They are not only chasing the Premier Soccer League crown, but are also in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Stellenbosch, who reached the semi-final last season.
Daniel Bennett’s warning comes after observing advanced VAR technology in Spain, where full systems are already integrated into top leagues. He believes South Africa must follow suit, stressing that credibility and consistency depend on proper investment. The next step is working through the financial model to make it viable.
This is a double blow for Bucs, who needed to win and extend their lead at the top of the table, and losing to their traditional rivals is something that they did not wish for. The loss means they have piled more pressure on themselves, especially with Sundowns lurking behind. Although the DDC champions have been struggling quite a bit, the win against Bucs is set to boost their morale as they fight to defend the title.
The Amakhosi midfielder has received some backing from a club legend who is strongly convinced that the player has enough quality to deserve a place in the national side. He argues that despite the central midfield being arguably the richest Bafana department in terms of depth, the former Stellenbosch star is international football material. The Soweto giants great insists the national team coach is failing to recognise what is good in a defensive linkman.
The competition for places in the national side has gained steam as the 2025 AFCON finals draw closer. The coach is finding it increasingly difficult to satisfy everyone, with every squad announcement sparking fierce debate. High-performing players like Shandre Campbell, Thembinkosi Lorch, Siyabonga Ngezana, Grant Kekana and Gift Links have all been mentioned among those unlucky to be left out. It all underlines the immense pressure on the Belgian tactician who faces stern scrutiny with every choice he makes.
The Amakhosi goalkeeper has impressively kept seven clean sheets in 11 games this season, and he tops all other custodians in the PSL so far. Despite this form, he continues to be overlooked by the South Africa national team coach, Hugo Broos. Legend Doctor Khumalo is among those voicing strong support, insisting that Petersen fully deserves the national team nod.
Competition for places in the South Africa squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is intensifying as the continental tournament draws closer. A number of players have recently emerged as strong contenders, widening the pool available to the coach. Their impressive performances at club level have sparked debates about who truly deserves a spot. One of them is a former Orlando Pirates star who has become a big subject of debate.
The 21-year-old centre-back is enjoying a rapid rise that mirrors the breakthroughs of his age-group peers like Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng. Just in his second season of playing Premier Soccer League football, his progress has now propelled him into becoming a full South Africa international. The player from KwaZulu-Natal is widely expected to achieve more in both domestic and international football.
Players like Marks Maponyane, Dumisa Ngobe, Sizwe Motaung, Jimmy Tau and Lehlohonolo Majoro moved directly between Anmakhosi and the Buccaneers before. These transfers often attract intense scrutiny, highlighting the deep-rooted rivalry between the two traditional giants. Now, in the last Premier Soccer League transfer window, two full-backs crossed the great Soweto divide.
Amakhosi have been under pressure to produce young players capable of making a real impact on the South African football scene. In recent years, their rivals, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, have set the bar high by churning out prospects like Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Malibongwe Khoza. However, two Amakhosi youngsters appear to be nearing making big moves and play overseas.
The two tacticians have been at the helm of the Glamour Boys in most matches this season domestically and abroad as the Soweto giants work their way back to the top. Despite their arguably impressive performance, the club's executive management has not confirmed whether the duo will stay beyond the current campaign.
The Amakhosi goalkeeping department and their backline appear to have improved this season. They have kept an impressive 10 clean sheets in 16 matches across all competitions to establish themselves as a solid defensive structure after seasons of being criticized for being leaky. This defensive solidity could be key for the Soweto giants this season and give them a competitive edge as they bid for trophies. However, one of their goalkeepers has now been injured.
Although Amakhosi were keen to sign the highly rated forward, they were unable to land their target in the end. Now, his agent has broken his silence and addressed why the forward was unable to make a move to Naturena. Kodisang left Downs for Europe in search of playtime, something he was unable to achieve with the Pretoria giants.
The winger has completed his rehabilitation process and is back on the pitch, hoping to get back to his best form. While he was at the rehabilitation centre, the footballer recalled how Chiefs legend supported him, and he says he is grateful for the gesture. He has challenged people with the same issue as him to face them and work on them instead of hiding.
The Glamour Boys have officially withdrawn from the tournament. The event was originally scheduled to take place during the previous international break on 11 October, but was already postponed to accommodate Amakhosi's injuries and travel commitments.
The former Bafana Bafana star claims that the Amakhosi youngster is not as effective as he should be because he is deployed out of position. Khanye has also blamed those who nurtured the teenager, saying they did not develop him well. Despite Khanye's claims, Vilakazi has been fighting hard and is pushing himself to be one of the key players for his club.
Al Masry SC
