The Buccaneers’ push for the Premier Soccer League title is no longer entirely in their control. They now need results elsewhere to swing in their favour as the race tightens. That means relying on their closest rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns, to drop crucial points along the way.
The 28-year-old former Buccaneer made a surprising move to Masandawana in the January transfer window as the Brazilians strengthened to push for the South African domestic title. The Bafana Bafana international has been effective, but recently, the winger has been out of action for the Mzansi heavyweights.
The South African tactician has now embarked on his third coaching job in North Africa. His journey u the continent began in Morocco before he later made a stop in Algeria. This time, he finds himself in Libya as he continues to build his coaching footprint across the region.
The Sea Robbers failed to capitalise on Mamelodi Sundowns' absence by failing to secure maximum points on Friday night against Richards Bay at uMhlathuze Sports Complex. What this basically means is that the defending champions just need six wins and a draw to get their ninth crown in a row, regardless of Bucs' results.
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.
Harbouring targets beyond the Premier Soccer League, Bucs must strengthen their playing unit further if they are to achieve their continental aspirations. Even before the current season ends, already, the Soweto giants have been linked with a rather well-performing goalkeeper who was recently recognised by the national team coach.
The Bucs sensation has been urged to block out the external noise as his reputation continues to skyrocket in the Premier Soccer League. The 21-year-old Buccaneers star has become the talk of South African football following a string of top-drawer performances, earning comparisons to established figures, including Themba Zwane and the recently retired Andile Jali.
When one is at his lowest in life, the family becomes his natural fallback option, but in some other circumstances, one might find himself isolated and with no one to run to. Now, a former Premier Soccer League star has shared an emotional challenge where he alleges betrayal from close relatives. The 35-year-old has said that he battled spiritual issues even when he was playing for the national team.
The Sea Robbers' versatile attacker has been in the best form of his professional career, scoring and creating goals at will. In the last two club assignments in the South African top-tier, Rele, as he is commonly referred to, has found the back of the net five times to take his PSL goals tally to nine.
The Soweto giants are in KwaZulu-Natal to face the Natal Rich Boyz, riding the momentum of an impressive run of form in recent matches. The Buccaneers have looked sharp in attack after scoring 11 goals in their last two games. However, their hosts will be eager to spring a major upset and prove they can stand up to one of the league’s in-form sides.
Clubs have in the past suffered for failing to honour agreements with either the technical staff or a member of the playing unit. Another South African top-tier outfit is in black books with the world football governing body for not settling the dues of their former coach, who left a couple of months ago.
The Sea Robbers can't afford to drop any points in their bid to beat the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, to the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League title. Currently, the Natal Rich Boyz are just two points out of the MTN8 slot, meaning victory on Friday will put them in the bracket. This explains why the fixture is vital for both teams.
Despite enjoying a respectable run in the Premier Soccer League this season, Usuthu will refresh their technical team ahead of the next campaign. That process has left the coach searching for a trusted lieutenant who can work closely with him when the new season kicks off.
The former Richards Bay striker has been one of the players who have enjoyed game time at the Soweto giants. However, he has not scored many goals as anticipated. The forward has not been clinical, something that has attracted criticism from a section of the Sea Robbers faithful who feel he should do more.
The Buccaneers last lifted the Premier Soccer League title in 2012 and now face the daunting task of dethroning Mamelodi Sundowns to end that long wait. In the process, they could add extra sparkle to their campaign by achieving a feat they last managed 21 years ago.
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.
Discussions are already heating up over who will replace Lucas Ribeiro Costa as the Premier Soccer League’s best player. With the 2025/26 season entering its final stages, the league’s standout performers are starting to pull away from other players. Their impact in the closing weeks could ultimately decide who walks away with the gong.
The loss is a big blow to the Rockets, who are in desperate need of a victory in order to avoid sliding down towards the relegation zone. After the international break, teams are now focused on their league duties, with some fighting against possible relegation as Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns engage in the title race.
The 21-year-old has been delivering effectively for the Soweto giants in the last couple of games, hoping to guide them past Mamelodi Sundowns in the quest to win the Premier Soccer League title. Despite a massive interest from several clubs on the continent and around the world, nothing concrete, reportedly, has been put on the table.
The South Africa international has been in the form of his life for the Sea Robbers, scoring goals at will as the Soweto giants continue chasing Mamelodi Sundowns for the Premier Soccer League title. The 21-year-old is also expected to make the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be played from June 11.
Ouaddou believes the 21-year-old is a generational talent, a rare ability that comes along only once in a while. The young playmaker has been the driving force behind the Sea Robbers’ brilliant recent form as they keep the pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race, and with the coaching staff carefully guiding him to exploit the areas of the pitch where he can be most effective.
The Buccaneers may have a number of key players sidelined with fitness concerns, but their absence has hardly been noticeable in recent performances. The Soweto giants have continued to deliver convincing displays, suggesting the squad depth is stepping up when it matters most. However, with the campaign having entered a crucial phase, they will hope those injuries do not eventually catch up with them.
Amakhosi make a trip to Port Elizabeth on Monday to face relegation-threatened Mswenko Boys in the South African top-flight football. The Soweto giants need maximum points in their bid to return to continental football in the 2026/27 edition. Any lapses might see them fail to realise their objective.
The Sekhukhune United goalkeeper endured a tough introduction as South Africa fell to defeat in a recent international friendly at the DHL Cape Town Stadium. The shot-stopper has come under fire for his role in the loss, but former Premier Soccer League goalkeeper Amon Phophi believes the blame lies elsewhere.
Casric Stars are dreaming of an unprecedented double as they prepare for their semi-final clash against Durban City. The Motsepe Foundation Championship side have already proven they can compete with the elite after a giant-killing run that has seen them dispatch some of the biggest names in South African football.
With the player's current deal entering the last months, it means he will be allowed to enter into negotiations with other clubs if a deal is not reached with Bucs. The defender has established himself as a key member of the playing unit, meaning the Sea Robbers' hierarchy will do all it can to keep him at the club for longer.
AmaZulu FC
