Premier Soccer League action continued this weekend as the campaign rolled into matchday 19, with teams jostling for crucial points in the race for honours and survival. While the Soweto Derby featuring Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates understandably hogged the limelight, other teams were also in action, quietly shaping the standings and adding fresh twists to an increasingly competitive season.
Abafana Bes’thende were meant to be celebrating their progression to the quarter-finals, but their victory was clouded by controversy and lingering “what if” questions over a contentious incident. Despite his side being on the favourable end of the decision, the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor maintained that the league urgently needs VAR to keep pace with the speed of the modern game.
The Sea Robbers and the Brazilians are locked into a tight race for the 2025/26 South African top-flight crown. The Soweto giants are currently enjoying a slight advantage thanks to their consistency in the domestic competitions, where they have already won two tournaments. The Buccaneers last won the league more than a decade ago.
The Abafana Bes'thende boss believes the 22-year-old winger has the talent, drive and dedication to improvement for a major transfer overseas and dismissed links to the league's big clubs as mere speculation that won't influence the player or his club as they consider his future.
The Sea Robbers have been consistent under the former Morocco international defender who took over at the start of the season from Spaniard Jose Riveiro. After securing the MTN8 and Carling Knockout, the Soweto giants are chasing the remaining two crowns. It explains why it might be hard for other players to be introduced.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have, for the first time, responded after initial reports indicated that their top-flight slot was in danger after Dube Birds moved to court in an attempt to cancel the sale. The Soweto-based outfit wants the agreement to be terminated legally by the courts. If the sale deal is cancelled, Swallows will get their PSL status back, and Gallants will lose all the rights.
After engaging in the Nedbank Cup campaign, teams turned their focus to the Premier Soccer League campaign. Orlando Pirates widened the gap at the top with a win over Marumo Gallants, while Babina Noko's result affected Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns, who were focused on their respective CAF campaigns. At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is heating up.
The 29-year-old's profile has been spruced up in recent years, especially after making himself Nigeria's number one goalkeeper and gracing the two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. He left the Chilli Boys when he appeared to have outgrown the club and needed more demanding opportunities elsewhere.
The veteran coach has fired back at critics accusing him of orchestrating coaching changes at Durban City FC following their Betway Premiership promotion. This follows his clashes with Gavin Hunt, which led to the former Kaizer Chiefs coach being dismissed, and his replacement Sinethemba Badela also being dismissed after just three games in charge.
Teams in the Premier Soccer League are chasing the CAF Confederation Cup ticket for the 2026/27 edition by virtue of winning the annual competition. It is promising to be a competitive assignment as top dogs are also hoping to win the cash prize as well as the glory associated with the competition. In the last three editions, the tournament has been won by the Soweto giants.
In a shocking twist of events, the Nigerian goalkeeper left the Chilli Boys after an impressive outing with the Super Eagles in the Africa Cup of Nations finals. Since he signed for Chippa from Katsina United in 2022, the goalkeeper has gone on to become a fan favourite. That explains why his exit was greeted with shock, as it was an unexpected move at all.
The official Premier Soccer League transfer window is closed, but clubs have an opportunity to sign free agents throughout the year. It explains why the Glamour Boys and other teams can consider having the international player who has featured in top matches across all competitions on the continent.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After failing to collect maximum points in their last two games before the Premier Soccer League took a break in December, Amakhosi resume the campaign with some pressure on their shoulders. On paper, their game against Chippa United was expected to be an easy one given the Chilli Boys' poor form this season; however, the Soweto giants were forced to share points after a goalless draw. The Glamour Boys dropped more points when they were held to another goalless draw by TS Galaxy.
In a bid to create space for probably more new signings, the Soweto giants have confirmed the permanent exit of the star. Signed after impressing in his former Premier Soccer League side, the 25-year-old found it hard to settle and become a key player for the MTN8 champions. Faced with stiff competition, he had limited involvement in the ongoing season, as the club is focused on winning more local trophies after the CAF Champions League elimination.
With mounting questions surrounding the capabilities of the Chiefs' co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, and growing frustration among the Naturena faithful, the Soweto giants have once again found themselves at the centre of intense debate. Discontent continues to ripple through the fan base as uncertainty lingers over the team's direction, reigniting widespread discussions about who would be the right fit to take charge as head coach and steer the club back toward stability and success.
The Premier Soccer League rewards the best individuals monthly, starting from the tactician who has delivered for his team, the player with the best starts in the respective month, as well as a second-to-none strike in the South African top-tier. The Sea Robbers have once again been recognised for what they have achieved.
The Soweto giants ended the year on a rather disappointing and frustrating note, and will hope that 2026 brings plenty of improvements and success. In their final match of the year, the Glamour Boys were held to a goalless draw by a determined and disciplined TS Galaxy outfit on Sunday.
With two games before the Premier Soccer League takes a break, Amakhosi had a chance to go level with Orlando Pirates. They were held by Chippa United, and the second attempt was to beat TS Galaxy and go level with Mamelodi Sundowns, but they have also squandered that chance. Although Galaxy were reduced, the Glamour Boys failed to take advantage, as they were frustrated at Mbombela Stadium.
Amakhosi have another chance to close in on Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the league standings. After being held to a goalless draw by Chippa United, the Glamour Boys will be looking to return to winning ways. Chiefs are on a three-match winless run across competitions, given their last victory came against Orbit College in early November.
The Glamour Boys have had a strong run this season across all competitions after the signings they made at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. A win against TS Galaxy on Sunday will see them end the year with just two points behind leaders and traditional rivals Orlando Pirates, who have been doing quite well under Abdeslam Ouaddou. But a disappointing draw with Chippa has deflated fan expectations.
The Glamour Boys faced the Chilli Boys, hoping to get maximum points at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday night. However, it turned out to be a tough assignment against the relegation-threatened hosts who were not in the mood to lose. Amakhosi have now lost ground in their bid to win the title in the ongoing campaign.
The Premier Soccer League campaign is taking shape, and before the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals break, the favourites to win the race have been picked out. A PSL winner has tipped his former side as one of those with a high probability of conquering the league. However, the Soweto giants, despite their promising run so far, have been ruled out.
Chippa United
