As the Premier Soccer League entered matchday 21, the title race is intensifying with contenders pushing hard to gain an advantage. At the other end of the table, several sides are locked in a tense fight to avoid the drop as the pressure of relegation looms large. Meanwhile, attention is also fixed on the crowded midtable, where teams are battling to secure places in next season’s MTN8.
After the loss to Richards Bay in midweek, it will be another chance for Amakhosi to try and end the four-match losing run across all competitions. It is expected to be a challenging encounter, given that the Premier Soccer League debutants will be keen to win and cement their place among the top four sides.
The Glamour Boys are under incredible pressure to turn the tide after four consecutive losses. Against the Premier Soccer League debutants, they enjoy a home advantage, but playing in front of their fans will put them under more pressure. Another loss, or even a draw, will only act to jeopardise their position, with more ground ceded in the league's title race.
The 27-year-old has struggled to make a meaningful impact since arriving at the Soweto giants. His lack of game-changing performances has also weakened his chances of forcing his way back into the Bafana Bafana setup. Now, he speaks about his time at the Amakhosi nearing its end.
It has been a difficult week at Naturena as fans, pundits, journalists, and former coaches have all fired broadsides at the club after they racked up four consecutive defeats. Stuart Baxter and Ernst Middendorp both had plenty to say about the situation Amakhosi find themselves in. But now, another ex-coach has come forward to defend the integrity of The Glamour Boys.
Amakhosi return to FNB Stadium desperate for a turnaround following a disastrous run of form that has seen them suffer back-to-back defeats. However, according to Zitha Kwinika, it won’t be an easy challenge as they face an unpredictable Durban-based outfit.
A run of four defeats in a row has seen an enormous amount of pressure heaped on Amakhosi's management, coaches and players. But the young winger is adamant that all the external noise from media, pundits and fans will not distract from the team's focus on turning their form around
The Burundian and his partner have been subjected to intense pressure following a wanting performance by the club on the pitch. The fans have made their voice heard, and one of the demands they want is the two to be shown the door. However, the tactician has asked for patience, reminding the supporters where they have come from and what they are likely to achieve.
The Soweto giants are in crisis as a string of poor results mounts pressure on the team. Much of the blame has fallen on the co-coaches, who have come under intense scrutiny from supporters and pundits alike. One of the coaches has now responded to what club management expects from them during this difficult period.
The drama at Naturena has reached a boiling point after former Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson addressed the explosive claims made by Stuart Baxter regarding boardroom interference. Baxter recently sent shockwaves through the South African football landscape by alleging that the club’s hierarchy frequently meddles in tactical decisions and player selections, suggesting a toxic environment behind the scenes. However, Johnson, who also had a stint in the hot seat, has offered a very different perspective on the inner workings of the Glamour Boys.
With Amakhosi's recent slump in form, there has been a lot of noise surrounding the club, its players, coaches, and fans. And now, adding to the chorus of advice and criticism comes Stuart Baxter, who had two stints in the hot seat. The first was a trophy-filled success, but the second spell was an ill-fated one, and he left before the 2021/22 season was finished.
The Soweto giants are desperate to arrest the crisis that has rocked the club and restore some confidence among their supporters. They welcome visitors from KwaZulu-Natal in what promises to be a tense and demanding encounter. Their opponents are pushing for a top-four finish, making them a tricky side for Amakhosi and determined to leave with a positive result.
As Amakhosi struggle to get back to winning ways, the fans are frustrated seeing their team spiralling downwards. Some supporters even staged a protest at Naturena as they petitioned the club officials to take action. However, the club has formally responded, calling out some fans who they said were disorderly during the demonstration.
Problems at Amakhosi have turned the club into a house on fire, with pressure mounting from all directions. The coaches are under intense scrutiny as poor results continue to frustrate supporters. At the same time, players are carrying part of the blame while management is being criticised for not doing enough to recruit the quality needed to lift Amakhosi back to the top.
In a scene reminiscent of the iconic Portuguese coach's infamous "football heritage" rant while he was at Manchester United, Amakhosi's Burundian co-coach arrived at Naturena for his pre-match press conference armed with a sheet of statistics.
The shot-stopper has been in fine form for the Glamour Boys this season, ensuring the likes of Bruce Bvuma and Fiacre Ntwari don't get a chance. However, he suffered a setback a couple of weeks ago that has seen him miss two Premier Soccer League matches in a row. It was a blow for him as an individual, considering the personal ambitions set.
After elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup and the Nedbank Cup, the co-coaches face renewed pressure from an ambitious fanbase. Apart from exiting from the competitions, the Glamour Boys are on a poor run of four straight defeats. This has infuriated the supporters, who have called on the club's management to act quickly and fire the coaches.
Ezimnyama Ngenkani were found responsible for causing problems in the annual tournament against their top-tier rivals recently. They have now been fined thousands of Rand, as well as being eliminated from the competition. It is a massive blow for the management and fans who had hoped to go all the way.
The 20-year-old has been training at Naturena, and back in his mind, he is eyeing a professional deal with the Soweto giants. After a signing spree in the off-season window, Amakhosi did not sign any player for the senior team in the mid-season. Although the focus is now firmly on the remaining matches of the season, the scouting departments of teams should be busy in the market trying to find players who they hope will strengthen their squads.
The Brazilians were back to their dominant best in beating the Mswenko Boys in a PSL clash on Tuesday, despite resting several players ahead of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal on Friday. The regulation 2-0 win moved former Amakhosi winger and now vocal pundit Junior Khanye to declare the title race with the Buccaneers was as good as over before they even kicked a ball in their own mid-week league assignment against Richards Bay.
The Sporting Director's interview with 947's MSW has seen a steady drip of headlines hit the media. From defending the money spent on transfers, to learning lessons from arch rivals Orlando Pirates, the 44-year-old has covered a lot of ground. However, the most eye-catching statement so far has come in the form of his acceptance of accountability for results on the pitch.
Pressure is mounting on the Glamour Boys management to send home the technical team, which has been serving on an interim basis since the exit of Nasreddine Nabi early in the season. Fans marched to the Naturena Village to demand changes after recent struggles across all competitions. Amakhosi are hoping to finish among the top two positions for the CAF Champions League ticket but seemingly have a fight on their hands to qualify for the Top Eight.
The deteriorating standards at Naturena have drawn the attention of an Amakhosi legend, who has delivered a brutal assessment of the players' current state. The former star did not hold back, as he also broadened the criticism to South African football in general, questioning the mindset and professionalism of local players.
Amakhosi will return to action 12 days after their last match, ending a period without competitive football. The Soweto giants will hope the break has given them time to address the issues that have contributed to their recent struggles. They now face the challenge of turning that time on the training ground into improved performances to ease the pressure on the players and coaches. But they will have to do so without key squad members due to suspension and injury.
The Glamour Boys have been struggling in the last couple of matches, where they have lost five of the last six games played across all competitions. The Soweto giants have been accused of not investing in quality players, opting to go for the unattached ones. After winning the Nedbank Cup last year, the club is almost guaranteed a trophyless campaign.
The Burundian and the Tunisian have been enduring a barrage of criticism as the Soweto giants go through one of their worst runs of form. Calls for them to be sacked have grown louder amid mounting frustration from supporters. However, an unlikely figure has come to their corner, offering a rare note of sympathy during the difficult period.
Kaizer Chiefs
