The Ke Yona Cup final delivered a fairytale finish on Saturday night as Durban City etched their name into South African football folklore. In a remarkable first season in the top flight, the newly promoted side capped off their dream campaign by lifting their first major piece of silverware, edging TS Galaxy 2-1 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Rockets tactician has admitted that his side’s inability to address long-standing defensive vulnerabilities ultimately cost them the chance to lift the Cup. The 2018–19 winners fell to a 2-1 defeat against Durban City in Polokwane on Saturday, extending a miserable run of form for the Mpumalanga-based outfit.
Darren Keet has confirmed he will retire from professional football at the end of the current season. The 36-year-old made the emotional announcement just moments after helping Durban City secure their first-ever Nedbank Cup title with a victory over TS Galaxy at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Bucs boss has offered an honest evaluation of the current state of football in the country, claiming a lack of physical intensity is holding teams back. After a series of frustrating results for his side, the Moroccan tactician believes the local game must evolve to mirror the demands of continental competition.
With everything at stake in the Ke Yona final, the Rockets bore the burden of expectation as they aimed to steady a disappointing Premier Soccer League campaign and relive their greatest moment in the competition, lifting the trophy at Moses Mabhida Stadium against Kaizer Chiefs in 2019, back when they were still in the First National Division. On the other side, the league newcomers embraced a golden opportunity to write their names into the history books and end KwaZulu-Natal’s long wait for silverware, with a chance to reignite the province’s cup pedigree.
The Buccaneers forward has revealed that standing for the Soweto giants on the global stage is his ultimate ambition, as he aspires to secure a place with the All Whites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 29-year-old, who joined the club in January, is hoping to carry his club domestic form into the international arena as his national team prepares for a challenging group stage in North America.
Both sides have been bullish during the build up to the final but only one can emerge victorious with their name engraved on the trophy. The Citizens will be confident after doing the league double over The Rockets but their new interim coach Bernard Parker has cup pedigree he can hopefully instil in his players.
The Mpumalanga-based outfit’s interim coach is tapping deep into his Ke Yona memory bank as he gears up the Rockets for the 2026 campaign. The ultimate big-game operator, Bernard Parker, has lived every emotion knockout football can offer, from the joy of lifting the trophy to the agony of falling at the final hurdle, and he believes his rich Amakhosi pedigree holds the blueprint for silverware success.
History beckons for City as they prepare for a defining Ke Yona showdown against the Rockets at Peter Mokaba Stadium. The man at the helm of the Durban-based outfit is determined to lean on the grit, resilience, and steel that have fuelled their fairytale run, as they bid to etch their name into the history books with a landmark piece of silverware.
The 40-year-old seamlessly transitioned into coaching after calling time on his playing career. He now faces the daunting task of reviving a side that has endured a 10-match winless run in the Premier Soccer League. All eyes will be on him to inspire a turnaround and restore belief within a struggling squad.
The 40-year-old has been given an opportunity to prove his mettle as a coach. After working as an assistant to Adnan Beganovic, he is now at the helm of the Rockets, who are in the Nedbank Cup final, which is a big test for him.
The Rockets' chairman has opened up on the difficult decision to sack the 43-year-old coach, admitting that the terrifying reality of relegation left him with no other choice. Despite a three-year tenure that saw the coach become a staple of the club's identity, a disastrous winless run forced the Mpumalanga-based side's hierarchy to swing the axe.
Berhalter has hailed rising Mzansi star after the player's standout Major League Soccer debut. The 21-year-old was thrust into the starting XI as the Men in Red ran riot in a 5-0 demolition of rivals Sporting Kansas City, leaving the Chicago Fire mentor glowing over his prospect's immediate impact.
The Amakhosi legend has stepped in from his role as assistant coach at a pivotal moment for the Mpumalanga club, as they look to salvage their season with silverware. Fully aware of the challenges facing the Rockets, the man in charge remains determined to put the campaign’s struggles behind them by delivering glory in the Ke Yona final.
Although eyes are firmly on the Premier Soccer League title race between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, there are other stakes to be fought for by other teams across the table. Kaizer Chiefs are eyeing a top-three finish that will hand them a CAF Confederation Cup ticket as other teams battle for top-eight finishes.
The Rockets fired Adnan Beganovic last week as the team is edging closer to a major Cup final against Durban City. A former Amakhosi star takes charge, but on an interim basis, which is his first time being head coach of a Premier Soccer League.
Former top-flight head coach has broken his silence following his sudden departure from the club, admitting that being denied the chance to lead his team into a cup final is a bitter pill to swallow. The 43-year-old tactician was relieved of his duties by the chairman this week, ending a nearly two-year tenure just as the club reaches the business end of the season.
The South African football icon has shared his thoughts on the intense battle for the Betway Premiership title as The Buccaneers and The Brazilians go head-to-head. With the season reaching its final stages, the legendary figure has weighed the prospects of his former club against the dominant force from Pretoria.
As the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League hurtles toward a nail-biting finale, the race for the best possible finish and survival is reaching a boiling point. Dikwena tša Meetse delivered a statement performance, blowing City away to ease the heat on their top-flight status. Meanwhile, the Rockets’ slump rolls on with wins hard to come by, while the Natal Rich Boys keep knocking on the door, determined to muscle their way into the top-eight conversation.
As the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season races toward a tense finale, the battle for the best position and survival is hitting a fever pitch. The Rockets’ struggles continue as wins prove elusive, while the Natal Rich Boys keep pushing to force their way into the top-eight conversation. At the other end, concern is growing for Magesi and the Mswenko Boys as the pressure at the bottom intensifies.
As the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League hurtles toward a nail-biting finale, the race for the best possible finish and survival is reaching a boiling point. Dikwena tša Meetse delivered a statement performance, blowing City away to ease the heat on their top-flight status. Meanwhile, the Rockets’ slump rolls on with wins hard to come by, while the Natal Rich Boys keep knocking on the door, determined to muscle their way into the top-eight conversation.
As the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season hurtles toward its dramatic finale, the battle lines are sharply drawn across the table. Stellies' victory on Friday night did little to shift the standings, as Gavin Hunt’s charges remain level on points with Golden Arrows, who stay ahead on goal difference. The race to muscle into the coveted top eight is reaching a boiling point, while down in the trenches, sides like Marumo Gallants, Orbit College, and Magesi FC remain locked in a gritty scrap to dodge the drop.
The battle at the bottom remains unpredictable as the Mswenko Boys settled for a point in Bloemfontein. Meanwhile, Rise and Shine salvaged a late point against Chilli Boys, and Babina Noko’s Limpopo derby win reignited hopes of a strong finish following a winless run. Arrows also bounced back to collect all three points, as Usuthu were once again stalled in their push for CAF qualification.
Rise and Shine salvaged a late point against Chilli Boys after a penalty drama, while Babina Noko’s Limpopo derby win reignited hopes of a strong finish following a winless run. Arrows bounced back to secure all three points, as Usuthu were once again stalled in their push for CAF spot qualification, with the battle between Gallants and Orbit still wide open in the relegation zone.
Polokwane salvaged a late point against Chippa after a penalty drama, while Babina Noko’s Limpopo derby win reignited hopes of a strong finish following a winless run. Arrows bounced back to secure all three points, as Usuthu were once again stalled in their push for CAF spot qualification, with the battle between Gallants and Orbit still wide open in the relegation zone.
Babina Noko’s Limpopo derby win has reignited hopes of a strong finish to the season. Arrows also bounced back, securing all three points against City. Usuthu were once again stalled in their push for CAF Confederation Cup qualification, while the Chilli Boys continue to fight clear of the relegation scrap. The battle between Gallants and Orbit remains wide open.
Durban City
