The Super Eagles and Bolton Wanderers icon has sparked debate by suggesting that Mzansi footballers are held back by a lack of ambition to ply their trade in the world's biggest leagues. The midfield maestro, who enjoyed a glittering 20-year career across Germany, Turkey, France, and England, suggested that the talent in the PSL often stays stagnant because players are unwilling to leave the comfort of their surroundings.
The tension at Naturena reached boiling point after a disastrous run of form saw the Amakhosi faithful demanding immediate changes to the coaching team during a protest march to the club's training ground over the weekend. And now, the leader of that group has reiterated their demands.
Chiefs Sporting Director has set the record straight on claims that the club has become overly reliant on signing free agents. Amakhosi have come under heavy criticism from a frustrated fanbase following a dismal run of form, with the squad’s depth questioned for some time, particularly after the Soweto giants opted not to participate in the January transfer window. However, Motaung Jr insists the club’s current recruitment strategy remains both ambitious and well-structured.
The Red and Blues announced the departure of their Cypriot manager, Elias Charalambous, who leaves after a highly successful stint at the Romanian giants that coincided with the arrival of the former Kaizer Chiefs defender. But now, with the current champions finishing seventh on the Superliga table and dropping into the relegation round of the split table and Ngezana struggling to recover from injury, the 28-year-old faces an uncertain future.
Masandawana are the only team from Mzansi in the ongoing CAF inter-club competition following the elimination of the Glamour Boys, the Sea Robbers, and Stellenbosch. The Brazilians will reap big, as confirmed by the organisers, but they should go all the way and bring the most coveted trophy home. Last season, they reached the final but fell to Pyramids.
In what could infuriate the Amakhosi fan base again, the national team head coach has not named a single player from the club. However, the Sea Robbers enjoy a high representation, followed by their close Premier Soccer League rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns. Thembinkosi Lorch, who has enjoyed an impressive run, has not been called up again.
Over the years, some high-profile strikers have come out of Mzansi, but recently, the upcoming ones have struggled to reach the standards set by their predecessors. As Hugo Broos looks forward to naming his World Cup squad, he should be scratching his head on whether the available centre-forwards will deliver. Before then, though, a retired striker has shared lessons for the current crop.
The Soweto giants are seemingly braced to end the 2025/26 campaign without silverware, having ended their decade-long drought barely a year ago with the Nedbank Cup triumph. The Glamour Boys enjoy a massive following in and outside the country. Their struggles are allegedly harming the nation, and something should be done.
The Soweto giants have been struggling for consistency, especially in the final third, where they have not been taking their scoring opportunities. Despite bringing on board players who could help them solve their scoring problems, the Glamour Boys have consistently failed to score more than one goal in most matches this season.
The dream of lifting silverware for Usuthu may be over, but for the ambitious coach ‘10111’, as he’s affectionately known by the fans, there’s still one last mission to cement the club’s name among the elite.
The former Amakhosi star has raised fresh doubts about the club’s chances of qualifying for MTN8 following their recent dip in league form. The Naturena-based club have lost their last three league matches, a disappointing run that has dashed their hopes of the league title. The slump has allowed newcomers Durban City to leapfrog them into fourth place, while AmaZulu sit fifth with a one-point advantage over the Glamour Boys.
The South African has been feeling the heat in Algeria, but he managed to inspire his side to victory on Saturday. However, he remains cautious and bent on keeping his players in line as his future remains uncertain at his club.
The former AmaKhosi goalkeeper has opened up on the transformative impact he and the late Orlando Pirates goal-minder had on local football, claiming the pair helped make goalkeeping 'fashionable' in the country. Both shot-stoppers rose through the ranks of the nation’s fiercest rivals, the Soweto giants, and shared a bond that went beyond club loyalties.
As Amakhosi struggle, everyone is coming out to give advice on how the Soweto giants can return to winning ways. From football pundits to the club's legends and even fans, everyone seems to have a solution. As suggestions come from every corner, will the club's hierarchy act and arrest the situation before it worsens?
Although they are trailing league leaders by far, Amakhosi managed to end a long winless run courtesy of a late goal. Meanwhile, the Sea Robbers suffered a defeat on Saturday, and the result allowed Masandawana to close in on them. Now, Bucs only lead courtesy of a superior goal difference as the league momentum is at a high speed.
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.
Kaizer Chiefs
