The World Football Governing Body gave clubs powers to retain players until just six days before the biennial competition kicks off in North Africa. Many teams have been negatively affected, including South Africa, who have been forced to leave behind some key players scheduled to join them in Morocco later.
The 20-year-old former Orlando Pirates defender, who recently joined a Major League Soccer outfit, Chicago Fire, found himself on the receiving end after failing to report to the South African residential camp on time. The 73-year-old Belgian tactician did not take it lightly, as anticipated, since he loves players who are disciplined.
The 28-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs defender played a crucial role in helping the Red and Blues claim maximum points in a seven-goal thriller staged at the National Arena in Bucharest. The Romanian heavyweights started the campaign on a low note but are seemingly getting it right in the crucial stage of Europe's second-tier competition.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos announced his squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and as expected, there were prominent names missing from the Belgian's selection. One of the players whose omission triggered debate is the Wydad Casablanca attacker. He did not even appear in the preliminary squad and has, over a period of time, not been considered for national duty.
The 24-year-old winger is one of the players who featured at the last edition of the continental tournament in Ivory Coast, even though he was used only sparingly at the time. Back then, he was still turning out for Polokwane City before securing a big move to the Buccaneers ahead of the current season. The national team coach has since highlighted the significant improvement shown by the Cape Town-born star.
South African political party, United Democratic Movement (UDM), has angrily reacted to the utterances made by the Belgian coach as he took aim at his defender and the player's agent who facilitated the transfer from the Buccaneers to North America. The political party has deemed the coach's remarks as inappropriate, leading to them approaching the Human Rights Commission with a complaint.
The South African national team will head into the final stages of their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, as they prepare to face Ghana in their last international friendly before stepping onto the big stage against Angola in their opening match on December 22, where they look to break more boundaries while raising the Mzansi flag high.
Both the former Orlando Pirates defender and the South Africa tactician have been trending since Wednesday, just 10 days before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that is set to begin in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. The new Chicago Fire defender was on the receiving end for failing to meet his end of the bargain in the national team's preparations.
In the last couple of months, 'Nyoso' has been trending after being overlooked by the South Africa technical bench despite his rich form in North Africa, where he is delivering for the Red Castle domestically and abroad. According to the 73-year-old Belgian coach, the former Buccaneers' attacker has nothing to bring in the team.
When the Belgian announced his 23-man squad headed to Morocco for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON], there were some surprises. The 73-year-old tactician left tongues wagging with some of his choices, leaving out some big names and experienced campaigners. Broos also included a couple of youngsters, some of whom will be in the senior national team setup for the very first time.
The 20-year-old defender secured a reported $3 million (R50 million) transfer to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire, but will join them only after representing South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations. He played his final match for Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout Cup final, helping the Buccaneers lift the trophy before this new chapter abroad.
The South Africans last tasted continental glory almost 30 years ago on home soil, and with a hard-earned bronze medal from the most recent showpiece in the Ivory Coast, the spotlight shifts back onto Bafana Bafana as the nation eagerly watches to see whether this squad can push further and revive their pursuit of AFCON supremacy.
The 20-year-old, fresh from captaining the Buccaneers to their second cup triumph, clinching the Carling Knockout Cup just months after a fourth consecutive MTN8, has come under fire from the Belgian coach as Bafana Bafana gear up for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from December 21.
The Buccaneers were rewarded with their impressive domestic form as they produced nine players for Hugo Broos' South Africa, who will be in Morocco from December 21 to challenge for the continental glory. The 20-year-old defender who recently sealed a move to the Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire is convinced Bucs players will play a starring role for the national team at the tournament.
The South African senior national team under coach Hugo is preparing for the biennial competition that is scheduled to start from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco. Having finished third in the 2023 edition, football lovers in Mzansi hope their team can go all the way to win their second continental crown but will be concerned over the fitness of the 28-year-old defender.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has emerged as one of the Buccaneers’ standout performers this season, consistently delivering influential displays in the middle of the park. His impressive form has earned him the trust of both the Soweto giants’ technical team and the national team coach. At 27, he looks rejuvenated and is playing some of the best football of his career.
A majority of countries on the continent are unhappy that the World Football Governing Body told clubs they can keep their players for up to a week before the prestigious nations' biennial competition that will be played in Morocco. A total of 24 teams, with South Africa among them, will be battling for the bragging rights.
Since co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze took charge following Nasreddine Nabi’s exit, Amakhosi fans have intensified their calls for management to appoint the decorated coach; a move many believe could stabilise the club, restore its competitive edge and fill one of South African football’s most demanding yet coveted roles.
The 29-year-old has been conspicuously missing from the Sea Robbers during matchdays, and his absence has only generated speculation around his future. Given that he is Bucs' prolific striker, many expected that he would remain a primary figure for the club, but that has not been the case. His coach has now addressed the issue and, in the process, explained why the attacker has not been used on a more regular basis.
The assistant coach has voiced frustration at FIFA’s ruling that clubs may delay releasing players until just before the Africa Cup of Nations. Moving away from the long‑standing policy of earlier release dates has sparked concern, with questions over fairness, respect and how such decisions impact preparation for Africa’s premier football tournament.
This will be the final friendly game for South Africa before they completely switch their focus to the Africa Cup of Nations. Already, Bafana have engaged in one pre-AFCON friendly game; they faced Zambia and defeated them by a 3-1 margin in November in Gqeberha. Hugo Broos has already named his 25-man final squad, and what now remains is to sharpen them further before the continental finals start later this month.
In the last transfer window, Bucs signed more than ten players, and that meant there would be stiff competition for starting positions. Some of the players who were regular starters under Jose Riveiro have found themselves snubbed at times, even when they are fit and available. Although Abdeslam Ouaddou has perfected a rotational policy to accommodate every member of his playing unit, even then, some players have been rarely involved.
There have been calls for Bafana to play against the so-called top nations as part of the preparations for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Local football's governing body has managed to secure a mouthwatering match against one of the teams that will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America as the final preparatory game for Hugo Broos' side.
The Moroccan-French tactician opened up about their biggest rivals' chances of winning the most coveted trophy in the country following the Buccaneers' Carling Knockout success in Polokwane. Ouaddou, who won the September-October PSL Coach of the Month accolade, also discussed the department which needs strengthening with one of Bucs' players likely to leave the club next month.
The Sea Robbers continue to celebrate their majority presence in the national team squad that is heading to Morocco. Out of the 25 players named for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, nine are from the Soweto giants, although Mbekezeli Mbokazi has signed for Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. Until recently, Masandawana dominated Bafana, but the Sea Robbers have displaced them as the majority contributor.
In a wide-ranging blog interview the former forward revealed his views on Chelsea's season so far and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament. While believing there are a number of teams who could go all the way at the tournament, the 2015 AFCON winner also pointed to Hugo Broos' team's chances of success.
Angola
