The Bafana Bafana legend arrived in the East African country in March 2025 fresh from a stint at three-time European champions Manchester United. Taking charge of the Harambee Stars marked his first venture into national team management. However, a disastrous result earlier in November has placed him under intense scrutiny. Now, the Cape Town-born football great faces growing pressure to steady the team and prove he can thrive in international coaching.
Durban City are gearing up for a fierce showdown when they host a ruthless Soweto outfit at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. The Durban side will be hoping to sign off their final home match of the first half of the 2025/26 campaign in style and, with a bit of luck, push themselves up into fourth place.
Meanwhile, Pirates will arrive intent on guarding their winning streak and ensuring their momentum doesn’t take a knock.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions continued their continental journey on Friday, 28 November, travelling to Stade Ali Ammar Dit Ali La Ponite with the aim of extending their winning start in the CAF Champions League. The Brazilians had opened their group stage campaign in style last weekend, securing a 3-1 victory over Saint Eloi Lupopo at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
After picking up yet another Premier Soccer League win against Chippa United, Bucs will be hunting for more points when they visit Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday to face Durban City. The Sea Robbers are on a three-match winning run across all competitions, and the game against the PSL debutants is a chance for them to make it four straight wins. There was a sigh of relief for Pirates after Makhehlene Makhaula came back from a long-term injury, and the experienced midfielder featured against Chippa at Orlando Stadium, although as a second-half substitute.
As Bucs eye yet another trophy this season, they might chase the domestic glory without players who have been phenomenal for them. It largely depends on how head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will play his cards in regard to the players in danger of missing the cup final. Their opponents are also not safe, as they could also miss equally crucial players for the final.
The Bafana defender is reportedly on his way to Major League Soccer, with Chicago Fire rumoured to be his next home. With the debate over the defender's imminent speculated move dominating headlines, the question on many lips is who is going to replace him. Mbokazi, within a short period of time, managed to become Bucs' top star, and his exit, when it is finally confirmed, will leave a huge gap in the team.
The 38-year-old coach gained valuable experience after being at the helm of both the Buccaneers and Masandawana in high-pressure environments. He now finds himself in another demanding role at MC Alger, where expectations remain just as high and intense. This comes after a season at Wydad Casablanca, where he further sharpened his tactical prowess.
The Premier Soccer League has seen some big names over the years. A good chunk of them have moved to pastures new, in all corners of the globe, for massive transfer fees. Given his enormous talent, Mbokazi could fetch a figure as big as anything we've ever seen when he eventually seals a switch to the United States MLS with Chicago Fire.
The Soweto giants’ rising star is still battling to secure a consistent place in the Amakhosi first team despite all the hype around his talent. Adding to the pressure, one of the players he grew up with has already made a major breakthrough and is now an international player with a strong reputation in South African football. That contrast has intensified expectations on the 19-year-old to finally step up and prove his worth.
The Soweto giants are steadily taking over the South African national team by sheer demand, and it comes as no surprise — their form and squad depth speak for themselves. They became the first side in the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season to lift a trophy. Despite the CAF Champions League setback, they are already chasing more success as they prepare to feature in the Carling Knockout Cup final next month.
They also sit level on 25 points with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns on the league table, separated only by goal difference.
The Premier Soccer League table is taking shape with a third of the matches already played, as players continue to give their best, hoping to help their respective teams realise their objectives in the South African top tier. A few individuals have made their cases after switching clubs and are already being named for possible rewards at the end of the ongoing campaign.
In a high-octane Premier Soccer League at Olympia Park Stadium, fans were not only treated to drama but also to a classic football match as Stellenbosch grabbed a 2-1 win over Orbit College. Monnapule Saleng registered his third assist of the season, although his side was stunned by the opponent's late comeback.
This was the remaining crucial piece of information regarding the domestic competition whose ultimate duel will go down on December 6 in Polokwane. The organisers of the tournament had already announced that Peter Mokaba Stadium would host the final game involving the PSL clubs. Now, it is all systems go as football fanatics await to see who will be crowned the winner as Bucs eye their second domestic trophy.
There was an element of surprise again when the Moroccan tactician opted to bench the Bafana forward who has been a key player for his team. The 24-year-old came on in the second half and played a crucial role in Bucs' 2-0 victory against struggling Chippa United. Ouaddou was put to task to explain why the new signing did not start, and he defended his selection, saying every player on his team needs to be given playing and rest time.
The 20-year-old youngster had been tipped to leave the Buccaneers for an overseas club after his showings in the Premier Soccer League and international outings with Bafana. However, when news broke this week of a potential move being lined up with a North American club, the centre-back found himself at the centre of feverish speculation over whether the move was suitable for his career aspirations.
The Buccaneers have been navigating the season trying to have balance in their matchday squads, especially due to injuries to key players. This has become a real test of their squad depth in a campaign where they still have the chance to finish with a treble or even four trophies. Being knocked out of the CAF Champions League has eased their schedule and reduced the strain on their players. With fewer responsibilities, they can now channel their full energy into achieving success on the domestic front.
South Africa are among the nine teams from the African continent that secured an automatic ticket for the prestigious global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Hugo Broos' men topped Group C of the qualifiers ahead of Nigeria and Benin to qualify for the tournament that they last participated in way back in 2010 as hosts.
The Buccaneers were in action for the first time since news tipping Mbokazi to join Chicago Fire broke over the weekend. The 20-year-old has been one of the top performers not only for Bucs, but South Africa in 2025. His exploits for both club and country have not gone unnoticed, as there is reported interest in his services from abroad, but how close is the young man nicknamed 'TLB' to leaving Pirates?
The Sea Robbers completed a double against the Chilli Boys on Tuesday night, underlining their hunger for domestic glory after a decade-long drought in the South African top-tier. An improved performance in the second half was all the Soweto giants needed to record their 25th point in the log and pile pressure on Masandawana, who have a superior goal difference.
The 1996 AFCON winner is one of the coaches highly tipped to become the next head coach post-Hugo Broos era. The Belgian has stated more than once that the Bafana Bafana coaching role will be his last, as he intends to retire after the 2026 World Cup finals. The tactician has decided to undergo the requisite training that will prepare him for a higher coaching position.
The Maroons travel to Olympia Park Stadium on Wednesday evening in high spirits after their 1–0 victory in the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage campaign. They now turn their attention to the resilient Mswenko Boys, aiming to secure crucial points in their push to climb the Premier Soccer League log. Still battling to escape the relegation zone, the Western Cape team sits on nine points in 15th place, while their opponents hold a four-point advantage above them.
The Bafana Bafana star has been tipped to leave the Premier Soccer League for a new challenge in Major League Soccer. The timing of his reported move has been questioned, with some saying it is too early, while others say he is ripe for a new environment. Mbokazi has experienced a sensational rise within the Bucs setup, and this propelled him to the national stage, where he has been impressive as well.
His absence from recent matchday squads has raised questions, forcing his agent to clear the air amid his absence. The arrival of head coach Adeslam Ouaddou gave the forward a new lease of life, as he was the preferred striker when the season began. Speculation around his future has intensified over the recent weeks, but what has kept him out of the team has been revealed.
Once more, the Amakhosi product was a shining star for Galaxy as he scored and provided an assist. The goalless draw will add more pressure on former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt, as Durban City have failed to return to winning ways. The PSL debutants have only one win in the last five games across all competitions and were recently eliminated from the Carling Knockout.
Durban City
