The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is already being spoken of as one of the brightest Bafana Bafana prospects. Now in his second season playing professional football, he has also featured at the FIFA World Cup for his age group. His rapid rise has fuelled strong rumours of a potential move abroad as his reported suitors continue to closely monitor his progress. However, there is a stumbling block standing in his way for now, delaying what looks like an inevitable step toward a bigger stage.
The former Al Ahly coach has tipped Amakhosi players to eventually dominate South Africa national team selections in the coming years. Masandawana have, in recent years, been the backbone of the Bafana Bafana, but that dominance has recently shifted to the Buccaneers. However, Mosimane believes Chiefs could soon restore balance in the national team setup by providing more players with support.
Two Amakhosi and Buccaneers stars are being closely compared as their seasons take contrasting directions. One has been in outstanding form, delivering consistent performances that have drawn widespread praise. The other, however, has seen his game go on a decline, facing harsh criticism from supporters as he struggles to rediscover his best form that landed him a contract with the Soweto giants.
The Soweto giants’ rising star is still battling to secure a consistent place in the Amakhosi first team despite all the hype around his talent. Adding to the pressure, one of the players he grew up with has already made a major breakthrough and is now an international player with a strong reputation in South African football. That contrast has intensified expectations on the 19-year-old to finally step up and prove his worth.
Teams are already working hard to identify the players who can improve their teams in the January Transfer window as they continue chasing their targets of the season. Among the teams that might end up losing some top players, as it has been the norm recently, is Steve Barker's Stellies, whose star has been linked with a move abroad.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach was full of praise for the current state of South Africa’s displays on the bigger stages. Bafana Bafana recently reaped the rewards of their hard work by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will next month take the stage at the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Amajimbos bowed out of the FIFA U-17 World Cup earlier this month, and the senior women’s national team is busy preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations [WAFCON].
A section of the fans and football stakeholders in Mzansi have not been too happy with the 73-year-old Belgian, who, recently, named his 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) provisional squad, insisting there are players who should have made the team but were overlooked. The former international argues the tactician knows what he wants for his team.
The Glamour Boys have been doing relatively well in the ongoing season, especially in the Premier Soccer League, where they are trailing joint leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates by three points, with the former having played one more game. The Soweto giants are also competing in the CAF Inter-Club competition, where they hope to reach the latter stages.
In a high-octane Premier Soccer League at Olympia Park Stadium, fans were not only treated to drama but also to a classic football match as Stellenbosch grabbed a 2-1 win over Orbit College. Monnapule Saleng registered his third assist of the season, although his side was stunned by the opponent's late comeback.
The Belgian has opened a wide, ambitious window with his preliminary AFCON squad - an orchestra of veterans, disruptors and bold prospects that must be cut to 27. The selections signal a team designed for multiple tempos: patience when games tighten, speed when they fracture and enough nerve to suffer. This is not a list; it’s the architecture of how Bafana want to win.
Amakhosi will not be without some of their influential youngsters during the trip to the United Kingdom. Also missing is the experienced tactician who has played a crucial role in the development of the team. The Naturena-based giants' official has now explained what exactly ruled them out of the trip.
The Soweto Giants have a massive opportunity to show their potential when they play in Europe against some top sides. Their Sporting Director is anticipating a tough outing but insists there will be a lot to learn for the players, and the club will, in the long run, benefit. In the previous season, Stellenbosch represented Mzansi.
The White Knights arrive in Limpopo buoyed by their 1-0 victory over ZESCO United in last Sunday’s group opener. They now turn their attention to wounded Amakhosi, who are desperate to respond positively after opening their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Al Masry away in Egypt. Despite their bright start, the Cairo giants arrive with concerns after travelling without a number of key injured players. They will hope the fitness situation in their camp will not derail their momentum in what promises to be a tense battle.
South Africa are among the nine teams from the African continent that secured an automatic ticket for the prestigious global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Hugo Broos' men topped Group C of the qualifiers ahead of Nigeria and Benin to qualify for the tournament that they last participated in way back in 2010 as hosts.
Anticipation is high as the Belgian coach edges closer to announcing his final squad for the continental competition. His provisional list has already offered a glimpse of what the final group could look like, sparking debate about the positions still up for grabs. Notably, four Amakhosi players have been included, and all eyes will be on whether they survive the final cut after the Soweto giants failed to contribute a single Bafana Bafana player at the last AFCON edition.
The Buccaneers struck twice in the last 45 minutes to collect maximum points in the Premier Soccer League outing against Chippa United at the Orlando Stadium. While the win gave Bucs' supporters hope that their team can go all the way, it was a massive concern for their visitors, who are firmly rooted at the bottom of the table.
The 2023/24 champions are hoping for another victory in their pool to continue with their strong start in the ongoing campaign, as opposed to the Glamour Boys, who were undone in Egypt on Sunday. It will be vital for the Soweto giants to avoid another defeat, which might end up affecting their chances of making the knockout phase.
The Soweto giants suffered defeat in their group opener away in Egypt, and that leaves them with a task to recover when they host Zamalek in Polokwane on Sunday. They will be out to avoid dropping points again as they eye reaching the tournament's Knockout stage. Failing to beat the White Knights could leave Amakhosi under pressure going into their third match of this pool, something that might take a psychological toll on the players.
The Amakhosi star is among the four players from the club who have been included in the provisional Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals squad. What now remains is to see how many will be included in the final team that will head to Morocco for the continental tournament. Broos has always snubbed players from Naturena, and he previously defended his position, citing the club's poor performance.
South Africa are set for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that will take centre stage on the continent from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco. Mzansi tactician named his initial 55-man provisional squad on Monday, which will be trimmed to 23 early next month, who will represent the nation. Some call-ups, however, have raised eyebrows.
South Africa have started preparations for the biennial competition to be played in Morocco from late December, where they hope to go all the way. They are played in Group B alongside record champions Egypt as well as COSAFA duo Zimbabwe and Angola. The top two teams will get an automatic ticket for the knockout phase.
The Glamour Boys suffered a defeat in their first Group C game, and the tactician believes the loss is a harsh result. To him, a draw would have been a far better outcome given how his Chiefs went toe-to-toe against the Egyptian outfit. Next, Amakhosi will play another Egyptian side, but this time around, the challenge is expected to be even huge because Zamalek are not only heavyweights at home but are also continental giants.
Amakhosi's CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign started with disappointment after going down 2-1 to Al Masry of Egypt. Despite showing determination to fight back while playing away from home, Chiefs were undone by poor defending as Al Masry grabbed the advantage to strike the winning goal. After the loss in Suez, three players have been singled out, and Inacio Miguel was specifically blamed for his mistake that handed the Egyptian side a glorious chance to punish Amakhosi.
It was almost the perfect weekend for Mzansi sides in continental football. Mamelodi Sundowns were in CAF Champions League action on Saturday, while Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs did duty in the Confederation Cup on Sunday. Downs, although slightly underwhelming, managed to beat Orlando Pirates slayers Saint Eloi-Lupopo at home. Stellies, meanwhile, left it late to see off Otoho d’Oyo. It was then over to Amakhosi to ensure South African teams completed a perfect outing in the CAF interclub competition, but they disappointed.
Amakhosi’s CAF Confederation Cup journey began with heartbreak, as they suffered a late setback in their opening Group D clash against Al Masry at Suez Stadium on Sunday, 23 November. Despite moments of resilience and a spirited equaliser, defensive lapses proved costly in the closing stages, leaving the Glamour Boys empty-handed in Egypt.
With the playmaker experiencing limited playtime for the Glamour Boys, debate on whether he should be released or his contract extended has been intensifying. With Chiefs engaging in the CAF Confederation campaign this season, one would think Sirino's presence will give the Soweto giants a competitive edge in terms of experience. But with stiff competition for starting slots in the club, it could be hard for the former Mamelodi Sundowns star to be guaranteed regular minutes.
Kaizer Chiefs
