Durban City news

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.

Over the years, the buying and selling of club statuses has often been viewed as disruptive to the South African league, whether through a decline in competitiveness or bitter disputes that follow. Lately, the Dube Birds and Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have taken centre stage in the latest chapter of that ongoing debate.

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.

Clubs are currently working hard to achieve their goal in the second half of the season. It explains why the tacticians are under pressure to deliver, with those failing to deliver getting replaced by the management. Most South African top-tier teams are competing in both top-flight games and the Nedbank Cup.

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.

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.

The experienced coach is now at the helm of the Cape Winelands side after parting ways with Durban City midway through the 2025/26 season. He joins a team that often competes for the Premier Soccer League title despite having a modest squad and being a selling club losing key players to big clubs. The Maroons job comes with expectations maintain the standards created by his predecessor.

The Polokwane City head coach reveals his tactical philosophy and the inspirations behind that which has seen him establish Rise and Shines as a Top Eight Premier Soccer League side.