Football lovers in the country will have a rare opportunity to cheer for their own in the forthcoming global competition to be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. This is the first time in nearly a quarter-century that the National Team qualified for the prestigious tournament. They are in Group A alongside Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Korea.
The Glamour Boys have been told they are sitting on a coaching goldmine as praise pours in for one of the club's most influential figures. Following a remarkable tactical display in the DStv Diski Challenge Soweto Derby, the Amakhosi youth setup continues to draw major attention for its ability to produce both results and talent.
The Amakhosi co-coach spent the international break on duty with his native country, where he is a technical advisor to their senior national team. They beat Chad home and away to seal an 8-0 aggregate win in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers preliminary round. That earned the tactician some plaudits.
The 22-year-old is enjoying a terrific year after completing a big move to Masandawana, where he has continued to raise his profile. His impressive performances have also helped him stay in the national team setup. If his progress continues, he could find himself on the plane to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June.
The respected football stakeholder in South Africa insists that some club owners are so much into their teams that they want to dictate some critical aspects. The tactician argues that a section of coaches have no free hand in determining who should be fielded because the managements have their interest.
The PSL’s three traditional giants have all looked beyond South Africa’s borders in their search for head coaches. That trend has sparked debate in local football circles, with some questioning whether enough faith is being placed in homegrown coaching talent. One of the country’s most prominent football figures has openly expressed his displeasure, arguing that South African coaches deserve greater trust and opportunities at the biggest clubs.
The former English Premier League player has leapt to the defence of the Burnley forward after he was criticised by his national team coach. The striker, who previously turned out for Orlando Pirates, has come under scrutiny over his performances for the national side. Despite the criticism, he continues to shoulder the nation’s hopes of being prolific at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Amakhosi coach spent some time away from Naturena amid mounting pressure on him and his co-coach despite the Soweto giants securing two victories just before the FIFA international break. He is expected to return refreshed and relieved, armed with fresh ideas to build on that momentum.
Amakhosi legend has identified the man he believes can restore the glory days to Naturena, throwing his weight behind former Tshwane giants coach Manqoba Mngqithi. With the Soweto outfit currently under the guidance of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben-Youssef, pressure is mounting for a specialist appointment to steady the ship.
Chiefs have officially signalled a new era at Naturena, a move that fans hope will mark a turning point for the club's fortunes. After years of deliberation and strategic planning, the Soweto giants have finally stepped into the women’s football arena, acquiring their status in the Gauteng Sasol League for the 2026 campaign.
The three-time CAF Champions League winner has been without a club for over a year since leaving his last team in Iran. During this period, he has been focusing on developing young talent through his football schools. While away from the dugout, he continues to be linked with a number of teams looking to secure his services.
South African football legend has launched a scathing assessment of the current crop of strikers in the Premier Soccer League, suggesting a lack of dedication is behind the dwindling number of hat-tricks. Despite Relebohile Mofokeng’s recent heroics, Ndlanya believes the modern forward is falling short of the standards set during his own prolific era.
For long, Bucs and Masandawana have formed the backbone of the national team. Going into the World Cup finals, the same is expected to happen given the competitive levels of both teams. Now, Broos wants to see that change, and he wants other clubs to step up.
The Glamour Boys will be in the market to bring on board quality players to help them chase top honours in the 2026/27 campaign. However, they might not find it easy to land an experienced South Africa star who has been linked with the Buccaneers and the Brazilians as well.
The players’ quest to secure places at the global football tournament continues, but the coach says he has already made up his mind about the bulk of the squad he intends to select. He insisted that even if some players deliver below expectations against Panama on Tuesday, they would still form part of his final selection.
South Africa return to action for a second match in four days, hosting the Central Americans in an international friendly match at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday. After the two sides played to a 1-1 draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium last Friday, at stake is victory, a morale-boosting result as they both gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former Amakhosi star has pointed out what Hugo Broos must sort out before it is too late. The national team is in camp for a second friendly game against Panama, which is a preparation for the upcoming global showpiece.
There have been questions about the future of the South American who had two successful seasons in the Premier Soccer League with Masandawana before his controversial exit. The versatile attacker's future is not guaranteed since he has just a couple of months before his current deal with Spanish lower-league outfit Cultural Leonesa.
The FIFA international break provided a chance for players to represent their respective nations, especially in friendly outings and competitive fixtures. The two weeks are also a blessing in disguise to the injured players, as well as those who are working to improve their fitness levels.
The Soweto giants have been missing an effective player to help the team in tight matches that need individual brilliance. However, that can be solved if the Glamour Boys can secure a high-profile signing of an experienced player who has already delivered in Mzansi when he was playing for the Brazilians two seasons ago.
The futures of the two tacticians remain a matter of speculation, especially with Amakhosi struggling. After failing to defend the Nedbank Cup and getting eliminated from the Carling Knockout and the CAF Confederation Cup, the coach's future hangs in the balance. Already, some big names have been linked with the Soweto giants, and only time will tell if any will be appointed in the end.
The Brazilian attacker left Mamelodi Sundowns unceremoniously to pursue a move to Spain. However, his stay in Leonesa could prove short-lived as his current club faces the real threat of relegation to the third tier. With the season nearing its end, he may soon be forced to consider another move in search of top-flight football.
Although the Sea Robbers have been in fine form, they went down to their local traditional rivals in a tightly fought encounter. The defeat is a blow to the Buccaneers, who were keen to win and widen the gap between them and Mamelodi Sundowns. By winning the game, the Glamour Boys have ensured their dominance in this fixture continues.
While the current focus is on the next friendly against Panama, Bafana's eyes are fixed on the upcoming big assignment. The players will not only be representing the country but will also be carrying the continental aspirations, as they are among the African countries set to play in the global bonanza. That means the 1996 AFCON champions must make their supporters proud by staging an impressive campaign.
The football lovers in the country have been waiting for the fixture that was initially scheduled a month ago, but the organisers have opted to postpone it. The supporters will definitely be disappointed, the same as the players continue to wait for D-Day.
The legendary goalkeeper has taken a serious look at the current goalkeeping situation in South Africa, raising concerns about the overall level. While his verdict might be discouraging, he has proposed possible solutions that he believes could help improve the situation. However, his assessment and suggestions are likely to spark debate among fans and experts alike.
Kaizer Chiefs
