The 28-year-old is refusing to let his World Cup dream die, with the FCSB defender making a defiant return to action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The former Kaizer Chiefs man has sent a clear message to Bafana Bafana boss as the race for a plane ticket to North America enters its final stretch.
The Glamour Boys battled against their traditional rivals, the Buccaneers, last weekend to share the Premier Soccer League spoils at the FNB Stadium. It was a massive result for Amakhosi, who look destined to get back to continental football once again next season.
As fans anxiously waited for the players to square it out on the pitch, chaos erupted during the warm-up session. The event, which overshadowed it, involved Amakhosi team officials and the security personnel of the home team. However, tension cooled down, and the game started before each side earned a point from the stalemate.
The showdown between the Soweto rivals continues to dominate headlines days after it was played. Apart from coaches of respective teams, pundits and fans have continued to analyse the match whose outcome is believed to be able to highly influence the title race.
The league race has reached a fever pitch as the Buccaneers look to finally end Masandawana's long-standing dominance in South African football. With the Soweto giants currently leading the pack, the legendary figure believes a specific distraction could play right into the hands of his former club.
The Soweto giants have been going for quality in the last several years in their bid to dominate South African football across all brackets. They recently acquired a quality Amakhosi product to strengthen ahead of the forthcoming assignments.
As Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns size each as far as the league title is concerned, Amakhosi and Usuthu are fighting for the CAF Confederation ticket next season. At the bottom, there is another fervent fight for survival as the likes of Orbit College, Marumo Gallants, Magesi, Chippa United and TS Galaxy hope to avoid dropping to the second tier.
The Buccaneers star, who ensured the Sea Robbers salvaged a point in the Soweto Derby, did not attempt to hide his frustration after Sunday’s stalemate. The result dealt a painful blow to the log leaders’ title ambitions, as they missed the chance to pull clear at the summit, with the defending champions, still holding a game in hand, now breathing down their necks, just a single point behind.
The Glamour Boys co-coach has lifted the lid on the tactical adjustments made to curb Buccaneers’ creative sparks during the pulsating Soweto Derby. The Tunisian tactician revealed that a specific midfield deployment was necessary to prevent the Sea Robbers from dominating the central channels at FNB Stadium.
Amakhosi came close to avenging their February defeat against the Buccaneers. Just when it seemed they would get their revenge, the Sea Robbers struck with 15 minutes remaining to pull level. In the end, the contest finished all square, with the points shared between the arch-rivals.
The Buccaneers mentor praised the Amakhosi goalkeeper after the shot-stopper played a pivotal role in a draw at FNB Stadium, leaving the Sea Robbers to rue a host of missed opportunities in a high-stakes encounter. He proved to be the decisive figure for the Glamour Boys, producing a commanding display after missing the previous meeting between the Soweto rivals in February, a clash in which the Naturena outfit conceded three goals.
Amakhosi have struggled in recent years to provide the South Africa national team with players. However, their recent upturn in form has sparked renewed attention on their squad, with some of their standout performers now putting their hands up for international selection.
The 47-year-old's tenure in North Africa has come to a premature and quiet end as The Reds have reportedly moved to sack the tactician. The Rockets' ex-coach had been under a cloud of uncertainty for several weeks before the club opted to upgrade his initial suspension to a full dismissal.
The defending champions could have opened a one-point gap at the top of the table with a victory against the Natal Rich Boys, but they failed to take the opportunity. Interestingly, their coach claims he didn't know Masandawana had the advantage since their rivals had dropped points against the Glamour Boys in an earlier game.
After a losing streak that extended for six games, Amakhosi finally managed to put a stop to Bucs' derby dominance in the league. Although the Naturena heavyweights did not win the game, they snatched a point from their rivals, who are in a tight race against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Although it was a matchday overshadowed by the Soweto Derby, keen PSL fans also turned their attention to the Masandawana match. Downs had a chance to overtake the Sea Robbers but ended up dropping points, too. This means the title race remains as tight as it was before the derby as the season fast approaches its conclusion.
The 31-year-old was in inspired form last weekend, pulling off big saves that helped the Glamour Boys get a point against old rivals Bucs. It was the first time they avoided defeat against the Sea Robbers after losing the initial six league derbies consecutively.
The spoils were shared at the FNB Stadium as the Soweto giants clashed in a high-stakes Premier Soccer League encounter on Sunday afternoon. As expected, both teams gave their best on the pitch, but in the end, neither got the bragging rights.
The clash pitting the South African top-flight heavyweights was the highlight of the weekend. Bucs, who were seen as favourites to extend their dominance over the Glamour Boys, ended up dropping points, a result seen as a setback to their title ambitions. However, an ugly scene occurred before the teams clashed on the pitch as security personnel clashed, leading to a protest by Amakhosi.
The Premier Soccer League title has taken an interesting turn with the leading sides dropping points. Earlier, Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw by Kaizer Chiefs in a Soweto Derby showdown. Masandawana, thereafter, failed to take advantage to go to the top, but they have a game in hand that they can win and return to the summit of the PSL table.
The Glamour Boys’ goalkeeper wore his heart on his sleeve after a masterclass in the Soweto Derby, finally answering those who have questioned his capabilities. The veteran shot-stopper emerged as Amakhosi’s ultimate hero, producing a defiant display to frustrate title-chasing Orlando Pirates and secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw at FNB Stadium on Sunday.
There was plenty at stake in the Soweto Derby, not just bragging rights but unfinished business for Amakhosi after being heavily beaten in the last meeting between the two sides in February. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, had their eyes firmly on the bigger picture as the title race reaches its business end, knowing maximum points and a healthy goal tally could prove crucial in their push for league glory.
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.
The Sea Robbers are taking giant steps towards winning the title as the defending champions, the Glamour Boys, fell after a long period of an unbeaten streak again. However, the Bucs' lead has been reduced, which means the title race is unlikely to be a smooth-sailing journey for the log leaders.
Sekhukhune United looked well on course for a top-three finish and a place in continental football for much of the season. However, a disappointing second half of the campaign has seen Babina Noko lose momentum at the worst possible time, putting their CAF Confederation Cup ambitions under serious threat. The slump ultimately prompted a change in the dugout, and the new man at the helm has openly acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge as he looks to steady the ship.
Kaizer Chiefs
