In recent matches, the defender appeared to be struggling with knocks, raising fears of his fitness level. The 30-year-old has a troubling history with injuries, but the Bucs' tactician has allayed fears of a fresh injury. With the season heading towards a decisive homestretch, the Sea Robbers cannot afford to lose more players to injuries.
Former Buccaneers fan favourite Aubrey Lekwane has jumped to the youngster's defence after his below-par showing in the 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday blew the Betway Premiership title race wide open. The perennial champions are now just three points behind the Soweto club, locked on the same goal difference and with a game in hand.
The experienced midfield maestro spent much of his time with clubs in France, Denmark, and Turkey. However, when he came back to the country, his ambition was to pen a deal with the Naturena heavyweights, but it did not happen. He ended up signing for Amakhosi's rivals in the Premier Soccer League.
The Soweto giants' forward was loaned out to the Cape Winelands side after he fell down the pecking order under Abdeslam Ouaddou and he looks to revive himself. On the other hand, the former Buccaneers defender is likely to miss the next few games for the Maroons, who are in dire need of positive results to save their season. The Nigerian defender joined the club after his shock exit from the Sea Robbers.
The former Amakhosi development player joined the Rockets carrying high expectations after they conquered the reserve league last season. However, he has struggled to secure regular game time under the Bosnian coach. His limited opportunities have slowed the momentum many believed he would build on his promising rise.
After a short and controversial stint and eventual exit, it seems all is not well between the Spaniard and the Egyptian giants. After what was initially thought to be an ambitious move, the 50-year-old coach only lasted three months. A poor run of games, coupled with pressure from fans and the club's legends, saw the African giants dismiss the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup winner.
A huge gap opened in the Buccaneers’ defence after the Bafana Bafana centre-back secured a move to Chicago Fire FC. Although the Soweto giants responded by signing Mpho Chabatsane, they remained reduced at the back following the exit of Olisa Ndah. That might have left coach Abdeslam Ouaddou needing a central defender.
The Buccaneers saw their Premier Soccer League lead trimmed after a tense clash with the Brazilians. Masandawana went into the match appearing to be losing ground in their title defence bid before producing a result when it mattered most. The outcome leaves the championship race wide open heading into the decisive stretch of the season.
As the Buccaneers fought but conceded defeat to their title rivals, one of their key players was unable to complete 90 minutes. The speedster was limited by injury last year, and his return has been overshadowed by fears that he could be sidelined again. Already, the Sea Robbers are operating with a limited squad, as four of their regular starters are battling injuries.
The duo was given a chance to take the team forward following the changes that had been made by the management in the early 2025/26 campaign. The tacticians' future at the Glamour Boys hangs in the balance since the Soweto giants refused to confirm them beyond the current edition, insisting that it will be discussed once it concludes.
After back-to-back continental assignments, the Maroons turned their focus to the league duties. Their bid to climb up the ladder was hit by a blow as struggling Dikwena Tsa Meetse frustrated them on their own turf. Stellies' last league victory came against Sekhukhune United, and the relegation-threatened outfit denied them a second straight win in the competition.
The experienced star's performance is one of the reasons why Amakhosi have been solid at the back. However, his impressive run has been overshadowed by rumours surrounding his future, but now reports emerge that the club is keen to tie him down for a longer deal. Although the Glamour Boys exited two competitions in a span of days, the player has been a standout figure for the club.
The Premier Soccer League newbies have been unstable, especially in the technical team, where they have been making frequent changes. The South African top-tier outfit are currently without a head coach owing to the recent decision to part ways with the ex-Chippa United tactician after just three weeks in charge.
Buccaneers icon Moeneeb Josephs insists the club should fear nothing ahead of their mouth-watering PSL showdown with The Brazilians, claiming the pressure lies squarely on the defending champions. However, with the title race having gathered steam, neither side can afford a slip-up. Every point has become crucial in this battle to secure top spot at the end of the season.
Kgaogelo Sekgota completed his rehabilitation process and is back on the pitch with Siwelele FC whose head coach Lehlohonolo Seema has praised the winger's progress and emphasised mental fitness as the priority in his ongoing recovery.
The Soweto giants did not make any senior team signings during the PSL January transfer window. Attention is now expected to shift towards planning for next season as the club reassesses its squad needs. Several players have already been linked with potential moves to Naturena ahead of the new campaign.
The Super Eagles defender had been tipped to leave the Premier Soccer League following his exit from the Buccaneers. The 28-year-old was linked with a move to North Africa as well as the Middle East, before his move to the Cape Winelands side was confirmed. It is a massive boost for the centre-back who was desperate for play time.
The Super Eagles star ended his association with the Buccaneers a couple of weeks ago on mutual consent. Initially, there were reports that the experienced centre-back was on his way to the Middle East, but his agent played down the heavy speculation. The towering defender will now remain in Mzansi!
For the first time in recent seasons, the Soweto giants look settled in the goalkeeping department, bringing a sense of calm at the back. This renewed stability marks a clear improvement in a once-problematic area of their squad, and it could prove decisive in their push for the Premier Soccer League title.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions are the only team from South Africa still in CAF inter-club competitions after Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch's elimination. The Brazilians hope to go all the way in the ongoing campaign of Africa's premier club competition after reaching the final in the previous edition, but fell to Pyramids from Egypt.
Buccaneers' coach has dismissed talk of sealing the Premier Soccer League title with wins over The Brazilians and Amakhosi in the next two weeks. Despite holding a six-point lead at the top the Moroccan tactician pointed out it will take a match-by-match approach while quoting a French proverb to prove his point.
When Andre De Jong moved from Stellenbosch to the Buccaneers he promised to help them win the Premier Soccer League crown. Now, on the eve of their crucial showdown with current champions Mamelodi Sundowns, the 29-year-old has revealed an extra motivation for joining the club.
As the season gains momentum in the second round, the battle lines have been drawn as far as the title race is concerned. Clubs considered the PSL's 'Big Three' are all in contention for the trophy, but the raging debate is who will withstand and beat their rivals in the end. The Soweto giants have their focus solely fixed on the top-tier marathon, as Masandawana have their attention divided between domestic and continental assignments.
It did not take long for the 32-year-old attacker to start paying back his reputed $75,000 (R1.2 million) transfer fee as he scored to help his new club progress to the next round of the domestic cup competition.
The Cape Winelands side and their opponents from Tanzania entered this last group game with their quarter-final hopes having already been extinguished. With nothing tangible left to fight for, the fixture effectively became a dead rubber. The chance to sign off in a respectable manner was all that remained at stake, but it turned out to be a disappointing evening for both teams.
In order to make the former Mamelodi Sundowns star an effective player, a position where he can express himself fully has been identified. Initially, the playmaker was deployed as the main man behind the strikers, but recently there has been stiff competition for that slot. In the games against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Marumo Gallants, he played in a different position and not as a playmaker.
Kaizer Chiefs
