The two traditional rivals are set for the first meeting this season in the South African top-tier which could affect the race for the crown. The first fixture is about three weeks away, and the fans in Mzansi are looking forward to the derby. Interestingly, both sides are strongly challenging for the title.
The Amakhosi and Bafana Bafana legend was speaking as a club ambassador at their Carling Black Label partnership launch when he dismissed suggestions that any side that beats The Brazilians to the title when the team is in turmoil will not have the right to believe they are the best team in the country.
The Glamour Boys, who were the defending champions, just couldn't get past Stellenbosch in the initial hurdle after falling 2-1 a couple of days ago. However, big guns like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates - who are chasing a treble- are still in the annual tournament, hoping to go all the way.
As Amakhosi endure a low rate of conversion of created chances into goals, the 22-year-old found himself on the receiving end of criticism for clear opportunities missed against Stellies. The wasted chances proved costly for the Soweto giants as they dropped from the competition and lost a trophy they won last season. Given that Chiefs are hunting for trophies, Shabalala, as one of the playmakers, needs to improve and help the team achieve their ambitions.
The Glamour Boys return to Egypt for yet another continental test against former champions in the CAF inter-club tournament. The Soweto Giants began their group stage campaign with a loss to Al Masry, but this time around, they will be in the North African country as a motivated team, as they top the table.
The combative midfielder has been one of the Glamour Boys' key players since joining them from Stellenbosch three years ago. He has served the Soweto giants under different tacticians, with the highlight being the last edition, where he was among the squad that won the Nedbank Cup, Amakhosi's first trophy in a decade.
It seems like the defending Premier Soccer League champions are set to start preparations for the new campaign as soon as possible. They have already identified their target, who has massive experience in the South African game despite his tender age. The versatile attacker has been linked with a move to the Soweto giants.
The Soweto giants appear to be feeling the pinch of a crammed schedule as they try to balance responsibilities between domestic responsibilities and continental duties. It is something one of their coaches is now complaining about, as he suggests his players' fitness is being affected.
After coming through Amakhosi development ranks, the 32-year-old centre-back went on to forge a professional career elsewhere, passing through Chippa United, Bidvest Wits and Stellenbosch FC. Now he is back at the Soweto giants where he has turned himself into a key player and is one of the team captains.
Amakhosi face a stern test of character as they seek to prove they have what it takes to reach the knockout stages of the continental competition. They travel to Egypt knowing that a single point will be enough to secure progression to the next round. A former club winger has now made a stark prediction about their chances of getting the job done.
Although Amakhosi have been quite impressive in their campaign, one major issue has been affecting them: a lack of enough goals. The Soweto giants top their CAF Confederation Cup group and are firmly in the Premier Soccer League title race. However, their attacking department has been under scrutiny due to low output in converting the chances created.
The Glamour Boys head to the Cairo International Stadium this weekend as favourites to advance from their pool in the CAF inter-club competition. The Soweto giants have registered three back-to-back wins that have seen them go top of the table in the continent's second-tier competition. But they will need at least a draw to get the last-eight ticket.
South Africa are among the teams that will compete in the global competition scheduled for June. Mzansi will represent the continent alongside eight other nations that secured an automatic spot for the tournament. However, the Belgian tactician might have to do without one of his stars, who has suffered a nasty injury.
The Glamour Boys have defied the odds in 'the Group of Death' to lead the race for the CAF inter-club quarter-final ticket after a poor start. The Soweto giants are on 10 points in their pool after the latest win and third in a row, conceding once and scoring four goals in the process. However, the Green Eagles coach wasn't happy with the loss in Mzansi.
After failing to sign the 27-year-old before, Amakhosi finally got the forward but on loan terms from Algerian side CR Belouizdad. Mayo's arrival came amid high expectations that he would turn into a dependable goalscorer for the Soweto giants.
Clubs are currently working hard to achieve their goal in the second half of the season. It explains why the tacticians are under pressure to deliver, with those failing to deliver getting replaced by the management. Most South African top-tier teams are competing in both top-flight games and the Nedbank Cup.
Amakhosi grabbed top spot in Group D with a 2-1 win over Al Masry at Peter Mokaba Stadium, but their legendary former keeper was not happy with the way their coach ignored the need for a two-goal margin of victory to ensure automatic qualification for the knockout rounds of the competition.
Amakhosi's sporting director admits it would've been ideal to wrap up qualification with a game to spare, but he's delighted they still hold their destiny in their own hands ahead of a crunch trip to Egypt where a point will ensure qualification for the knockout rounds.
The Soweto giants scored more than once in a match for the first time in 2026, marking what on paper looks like an attacking breakthrough. However, one of their goals has been strongly contested by their Egyptian visitors. The strike came from a controversial penalty decision that has sparked some debate.
As Amakhosi continue to chase continental glory, their bitter traditional rivals focus on domestic competitions only. The Glamour Boys will have to contend with a congested calendar, and according to the coach, there is a need to ease the burden on them. Before February ends, Chiefs would have played four games - including the Soweto derby - all in a span of days.
The Maroons' veteran coach is finding the going difficult in the continental competition and has now presided over his side's elimination and it came in humiliating fashion. He now leads his men to fully focus on domestic duties.
The Natal Rich Boys join other clubs, including Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, in the next phase of a competition where a new champion is expected. Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated as the remaining teams continue chasing the CAF Confederation Cup ticket by winning the annual competition.
The Soweto giants are now occupying Group D top spot after edging their Egyptian visitors 2-1 in a CAF Confederation Cup match at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday. It was a crucial victory for Amakhosi as they now go into the final group game against Zamalek with fate in their hands.
The Soweto outfits ended the week on the back foot following disappointing results in their respective Sunday morning fixtures. The Buccaneers were forced to settle for a single point, while Amakhosi suffered a heavy defeat in a five-goal encounter that compounded their struggles.
The Glamour Boys are looking for a win that will seal their ticket to the CAF inter-club competition quarter-final phase when they host the Egyptian outfit on Sunday. Having fallen in the initial meeting away, the Soweto giants are aiming at avenging the loss as well. This is the first time the Green Eagles will be playing in Mzansi.
The Glamour Boys host the Green Eagles in South Africa, aware that a win will give them a massive chance to make the knockout phase. The Soweto giants have won four out of the last five games across all competitions, and will be aiming at making it three in a row in Group D of the annual CAF inter-club competition.
Kaizer Chiefs
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