As the Amakhosi boat struggles to stabilise, blame games have been the order of the day. The coaches, the players and the management have all been blamed for a poor run that has seen the club lose four consecutive games across all competitions. As the season enters a decisive stretch, the Glamour Boys are fighting internal and external pressure as their traditional rivals focus on winning titles.
Although the Soweto giants are considered part of the country's Big Three, their trajectories have been different. Bucs continue to challenge for honours, while Amakhosi are a pale shadow of their former selves. In fact, this season, the Sea Robbers are champions of two domestic competitions, while Amakhosi were eliminated from a contest they were the defending champions of, the Nedbank Cup.
SAFA has been plunged into a fresh crisis after its first NEC meeting of the year erupted into physical violence. What was intended to be a high-level administrative gathering at SAFA House on Saturday quickly deteriorated as officials traded blows, overshadowing crucial discussions regarding the future of the national game.
The Mpumalanga side overpowered Spears to become the first Goliath into the semi-finals, joining Casric and Milford in the last four. Meanwhile, tension is building ahead of the KwaZulu-Natal derby, with just one spot left to claim.
The final four teams are officially confirmed as City secured a hard-fought penalty shootout victory over Abafana Bes'thende to join the Rockets, as well as lower-division sides Casric Stars and Milford FC in the last-four.
The Mpumalanga side overpowered their visitors from the Northern Cape to become the first top-flight league side into the semi-finals, joining Casric Stars and Milford FC in the last four. Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal derby between Golden Arrows and Durban City will determine who takes up one spot left to claim.
Although their season started on a promising note, it has taken a poor turn as Amakhosi struggle. Four matches without a win and elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup and the Nedbank Cup have only worked to frustrate their fans. Disappointed by recent events, the fans protested and delivered their petition to the club, and now Chiefs have made a promise.
The Glamour Boys are experiencing a tough run that has seen them get eliminated from competitions in the ongoing campaign. The Amakhosi management recently stated that a CAF Champions League slot for the team will be enough, but the supporters want more. Currently, the Soweto giants are trailing both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns by 14 points.
As the situation at the Soweto giants continues to deteriorate, their supporters have taken their disappointment to the club’s headquarters to register their disapproval of what is happening with the team. The supporters staged a protest, demanding urgent action to turn around the club’s fortunes. As it stands, Amakhosi risk finishing the season outside the top eight for a third straight campaign.
Without a doubt, the Ke Yona Cup has been nothing short of full of surprises this campaign, with all three Premier Soccer League giants already eliminated. However, for the Mpumalanga side, who will be up against a third-tier opponent, Parker and his team will be hoping to avoid any slip-ups as they look to follow in the footsteps of their 2019 triumph.
Amakhosi have dominated football headlines in the past days following their Soweto Derby defeat to Orlando Pirates and a disappointing midweek loss to Richards Bay. The setbacks have sparked intense conversations about the club’s leadership and direction. Coaches and legends of the game have weighed in with differing views, offering advice and criticism, while supporters also continue to voice their frustration.
In the last decade, the Glamour Boys have been making frequent changes in the technical team, as well as signing players regularly during the off-season transfer window. However, only one silverware - the Nedbank Cup won last season, is the only trophy they can show. Amakhosi have now been advised on the next step.
The Soweto giants are expected to make changes to their technical team once the 2025/26 campaign concludes, due to the challenges posed by the absence of an experienced tactician. Some top coaches have been linked with a move to the Glamour Boys, who are desperate to get it right in their bid to deliver trophies.
The situation at the Glamour Boys has been unbearable for the fans owing to the four straight losses across all competitions. Some of the key players have been missing in action, with reports indicating that the technical team, led by co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, omitted them from recent assignments owing to breach of contract.
The Glamour Boys' chances of finishing the season without silverware are high after crashing out of the Nedbank Cup and CAF Inter-club competition in recent weeks. The Soweto giants are limping in the Premier Soccer League as well, leaving the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns and old rivals Orlando Pirates to fight for the title in a two horse race.
The search for the source of Amakhosi’s problems continues as pressure mounts over their poor run of results. Fingers have been pointed at the tacticians and players, with both accused of failing to deliver when it matters most. Club management has also come under fire, with critics blaming questionable transfer decisions for the team’s struggles.
The 48-year-old has already had two coaching stints in Europe, although as a backroom staff member. He also built his coaching reputation through spells in the Premier Soccer League and is now in his first role as a national team head coach with Kenya.
The Buccaneers striker has been set a daunting challenge to find his shooting boots in the PSL title run in, with a club legend suggesting a traditional intervention is required. Since arriving from Richards Bay FC at the start of the current campaign, the 24-year-old has found himself under the microscope as he attempts to lead the line for one of Africa’s most demanding fanbases. While his return of seven goals and three assists from 21 appearances is respectable, the standard at the Buccaneers remains sky-high.
The South Africa national football team coach has been encouraging players to pursue careers in Europe to sharpen their game at a higher level. However, he has overlooked a Denmark-based player who has been in outstanding form this season. The coach insists the in-form star simply does not fit into his plans despite his performances abroad.
The fear that Amakhosi could finish the season trophyless could become a reality if the current trend continues. After the midweek defeat to Richards Bay, the Glamour Boys dropped to the sixth position, and the fight could shift from the title to a top-eight finish. As the Soweto giants struggle, questions are being asked about who is responsible and what could be the solution.
The continental football mother body has announced a decision after days of speculation that the women’s continental competition could be pushed to a later date. The Cairo-based organisation has now revealed the new dates for the competition.
Amakhosi have been hogging the headlines in recent weeks for their struggles, raising concerns as a season that began with promise threatens to slip away. The inconsistent results have intensified scrutiny on the Soweto giants as pressure continues to mount. Different opinions have since emerged about what could be going wrong at Naturena.
The former Manchester United strikers' tactician has been doing quite well in his coaching career after hanging up his boots. The 48-year-old has been linked with the national team to take over from coach Hugo Broos after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
The former Esperance tactician believes the lack of modern technology in South African top-flight football, which, he insists, has hurt the Brazilians and the other teams. Masandawana are chasing the Premier Soccer League crown for the ninth time in a row, but face stiff competition from leaders Orlando Pirates.
The Soweto giants have been struggling in recent matches, piling more pressure on their already embattled technical team. The disappointing results have deepened concerns as frustration continues to grow among supporters. Amakhosi now risk finishing the season empty-handed and could even fall outside the top eight, missing out on an MTN8 berth for next season.
The South African Sports Minister has issued a chilling warning regarding the safety of the Soweto Derby, suggesting the nation’s biggest football fixture is currently a disaster waiting to happen. In the latest Derby the same old issues around access to the stadium, insufficient security and ticketing system failures were all on show once again.
Kaizer Chiefs
