Although the Sea Robbers managed a convincing victory in the Round of 32, questions have been raised about whether they were favoured by the circumstances. TTM decided to host the Premier Soccer League heavyweights in Durban, instead of their usual home in Limpopo, a move that has been said to have handed Bucs an advantage.
The Soweto outfits ended the week on the back foot following disappointing results in their respective Sunday morning fixtures. The Buccaneers were forced to settle for a single point, while Amakhosi suffered a heavy defeat in a five-goal encounter that compounded their struggles.
The Buccaneers cruised to victory against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in a well-packed Moses Mabhida Stadium. While goals rained in, the Moroccan mentor remained far from satisfied, insisting that his troops could and should improve their finishing to make their dominance more clinical.
The Moroccan coach faces the high standards set by his predecessor, Jose Riveiro, who won the Nedbank Cup twice during his time at the Soweto giants. Ouaddou has already collected silverware since his arrival, proving his impact in a short period, but it would be a historic achievement if he adds this trophy to his haul as well.
Although it is a slim win, the points are enough for Bucs to widen the gap at the top with Mamelodi Sundowns. After dropping points against Sekhukhune United, the Sea Robbers returned to winning ways, adding new impetus to their title ambition. For Arthur Zwane, the loss is a lost chance for his side to go above Kaizer Chiefs on the log.
The walking style of the Saint-Eloi Lupopo star became a major talking point after the DR Congo outfit eliminated Bucs from the CAF Champions League. As the Sea Robbers' fans were still nursing broken hearts from the elimination, Amakhosi progressed in the CAF Confederation Cup after beating Simba. In an attempt to create the Mukoko style, the Chiefs star infuriated fans and was consequently attacked.
The football lovers were set to watch their favourite players clash for the bragging rights at stake. However, the organisers have had to make changes, meaning the country will have no option but to wait a little longer. The winner will have a massive chance to face an international team in the next couple of months.
The Buccaneers are set for the Premier Soccer League's mid-week test as they play Usuthu on Tuesday in Durban. Interestingly, the Arthur Zwane-led team have been doing quite well this season and a victory for them will take them to the top of the table with 33 points. However, the Soweto giants are aware they can't let that happen if they are to stand a chance of winning the league.
The Sea Robbers are set for a top-of-the-table clash with Arthur Zwane's Usuthu on Tuesday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. A win for either side takes them to the top of the league standings. We have a look at how Abdeslam Ouaddou might line up his men, hoping to get maximum points.
The Buccaneers head honcho’s leadership of the league has divided opinion, with some accusing him of being a strongman who instils fear in his colleagues. However, others have come to his defence, describing him as more accommodating in his approach to issues.
Masandawana are playing catch-up, trying hard to close the gap between them and in-form Bucs. Meanwhile, inconsistent Amakhosi are staring at the prospect of losing the trophy, which was historically won last season.
The Chilli Boys boosted their chances of survival after they recorded their back-to-back league victory. In a four-goal thriller, Orbit College and Polokwane City shared points in a match where a record in the league was also broken. Babina Noko recovered to keep themselves in a title mix by beating the Rockets after a difficult start to the year 2026.
After they started the group stage campaign with a loss, Amakhosi managed back-to-back victories, massively boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stage. The Glamour Boys completed a double over their continental rivals from Zambia after their last victory in Ndola. For Zega Mambo, the struggle continues as they remain winless, pointless and rooted at the bottom of the group.
The Buccaneers faithful have witnessed the value of having a game in hand. After the Mayfair-based side was ridiculed and tipped to drop points following their opening fixture, the Soweto outfit responded emphatically on Saturday evening, producing a commanding display to secure a convincing three points.
The Buccaneers coach is enjoying the luxury of leaving out certain players from his matchday squad, underlining the impressive depth within his first-team group. Winning convincingly without several key figures, who were deliberately omitted, highlighted just how strong his squad has become. It paints the picture of a coach spoilt for choice when it comes to team selection.
The Sea Robbers reasserted their dominance after beginning the year with a setback, as a ruthless display against Dikwena tša Meetse reignited their Premier Soccer League title ambitions. Despite unsettling Bucs supporters by releasing trusted defenders in a single transfer window, the backline has shown no signs of weakness under Ouaddou, who instead highlighted his side’s failure to fully capitalise on their chances in front of goal.
Before the Premier Soccer League went into the break to allow players to represent their countries in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, Bucs were at the top of the PSL standings. The Sea Robbers had also registered a five-match winning streak across all competitions before that break. However, they resumed the campaign with a goalless draw against Sekhukhune United, meaning they dropped points and saw their winning run halted.
In the PSL mid-season transfer, clubs get another chance to strengthen their squads ahead of another gruelling remainder of the campaign. Although many clubs bought new players before the season began, the mid-season window gave them a chance to get the right players to strengthen further until Thursday, January 29, when it came to a close.
Although Bucs have made some significant signings, two exits have defined their transfer business in the January window. The exit of Monnapule Saleng to Mamelodi Sundowns and Ndah's contract termination grabbed headlines. Now, after the centre-back's exit from Bucs was confirmed, he has been linked with a move to Masandawana.
In a bid to get a constant supply of future stars, the Sea Robbers have added two upcoming youngsters into their ranks. Considered promising talents that could be the next big names in the South African football circles, Bucs have moved with speed to ensure they belong to them. In recent times, the Soweto giants have produced top stars who have ended up making their names at relatively young ages.
There is no doubt that President Yama 2000 is a top player for the Sea Robbers despite his young age. In recent times, the Soweto giants have produced very promising young talents in South Africa, and some have already left for greener pastures. Mofokeng had been linked with an overseas move, especially in the off-season transfer window, but nothing materialised in the end.
Clubs in the Premier Soccer League have resumed their domestic assignment after a couple of weeks on break owing to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Usuthu's bid to finish in the top eight again received a huge boost after their win, as Polokwane suffered a defeat after a four-match unbeaten streak.
At the season's halfway mark, clubs have had enough time to assess their playing units and now know what needs to be done to make them even more competitive. Premier Soccer League giants Bucs and Masandawana have made statement signings, while Amakhosi remain silent in the transfer window. Other clubs have not been left behind, as they have also moved stealthily and acquired new signings before the campaign resumes.
The Men in Red officially announced the 21-year-old on Tuesday afternoon, expressing confidence in the positive impact he is expected to bring to the club. Meanwhile, the Rockets took to social media to express their appreciation for the former Glamour Boy, thanking him for his professionalism and contributions during his time at the club, while wishing him well in the next chapter of his career.
The 21-year-old has been a target for the defending Premier Soccer League champions, Masandawana, and the reigning Nedbank Cup winners, Amakhosi, owing to his strong display while with TS Galaxy, a team he joined three seasons ago. However, the duo has missed out after the Major League Soccer side acted swiftly to seal the deal.
The TS Galaxy star has kept the South African football community on edge, as his future continues to spark widespread interest. While many fans of the Soweto giants insist the club erred in letting the player go, the 67-year-old former Chiefs coach has now stepped forward to shed light on the events that unfolded.
AmaZulu FC
