The 19-year-old forward is highly expected to help end Amakhosi’s long-standing goal-scoring troubles as the Soweto giants seek to have their attack match an improved defence. He faces tough competition for game time from experienced forwards like Glody Lilepo, Etiosa Ighodaro, Flavio da Silva and Khanyisa Mayo. But this is his opportunity to show Chiefs supporters that he can be the striker the club has always been searching for.
With key players unavailable as they are focused on the Africa Cup of Nations, Ouaddou is expected to give playtime to other stars. In the team that has landed in Durban ahead of the showdown against All-Stars, there are a few players, including a teenager, who could be deployed. After winning the Carling Knockout, the Bucs might win another trophy on Saturday, although it is not an official cup.
The World Football Governing Body gave clubs powers to retain players until just six days before the biennial competition kicks off in North Africa. Many teams have been negatively affected, including South Africa, who have been forced to leave behind some key players scheduled to join them in Morocco later.
The Warriors are among the 24 nations on the continent that will be in action in the next couple of days, hoping to make a statement in North Africa. However, they will have to do without former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns winger, alongside a Premier Soccer League midfielder who insists he was ready to represent his country.
The 28-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs defender played a crucial role in helping the Red and Blues claim maximum points in a seven-goal thriller staged at the National Arena in Bucharest. The Romanian heavyweights started the campaign on a low note but are seemingly getting it right in the crucial stage of Europe's second-tier competition.
The 36-year-old midfielder made headlines when Chloorkop announced his arrival, as he had been a key player for the Soweto Giants, who were on the verge of clinching the league title. Unfortunately for Chiefs supporters, it was Masandawana who ultimately lifted the trophy at the final hour, with the former Chiefs midfielder part of the victorious team—a development that left a bitter taste for Amakhosi faithful.
The Naturena-based outfit has, over the past few seasons, struggled to fully demonstrate its big club status in the Premier Soccer League, consistently falling short and finishing the campaign outside the top eight. However, despite their struggles last season, they managed to break their long-standing trophy drought by being crowned champions of the Nedbank Cup, a moment widely viewed as the start of new beginnings. That success appears to have carried into the 2025/26 season, with the club opening the campaign on a high note and delivering performances strong enough to position themselves among the recognised league title chasers.
Chiefs have a lopsided squad that isn't gelling in the final third as 2025/26 approaches the halfway mark. Several players will be considering their futures during the upcoming January transfer window.
In the last couple of months, 'Nyoso' has been trending after being overlooked by the South Africa technical bench despite his rich form in North Africa, where he is delivering for the Red Castle domestically and abroad. According to the 73-year-old Belgian coach, the former Buccaneers' attacker has nothing to bring in the team.
When the Belgian announced his 23-man squad headed to Morocco for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON], there were some surprises. The 73-year-old tactician left tongues wagging with some of his choices, leaving out some big names and experienced campaigners. Broos also included a couple of youngsters, some of whom will be in the senior national team setup for the very first time.
Amakhosi closed out 2025 on a frustrating note after failing to win their last four games, both domestically and on the continent. That slump saw them miss a golden chance to climb to second place on the PSL table, and they now head into the AFCON break sitting fourth. That means they return in 2026 with significant pressure to revive their form and stay in the league title race.
The former Morocco defender was captured in a moment of connection with his players after the Buccaneers beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 to win the Carling Knockout at Peter Mokaba Stadium last Sunday. The Soweto giants' coach sprinted on the pitch with his players in hot pursuit to shower him with champagne in celebration of their triumph and second major trophy of the season.
The South African senior national team under coach Hugo is preparing for the biennial competition that is scheduled to start from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco. Having finished third in the 2023 edition, football lovers in Mzansi hope their team can go all the way to win their second continental crown but will be concerned over the fitness of the 28-year-old defender.
The Premier Soccer League rewards the best individuals monthly, starting from the tactician who has delivered for his team, the player with the best starts in the respective month, as well as a second-to-none strike in the South African top-tier. The Sea Robbers have once again been recognised for what they have achieved.
A majority of countries on the continent are unhappy that the World Football Governing Body told clubs they can keep their players for up to a week before the prestigious nations' biennial competition that will be played in Morocco. A total of 24 teams, with South Africa among them, will be battling for the bragging rights.
GOAL digs deep into the stats and numbers to find which players have performed the best in their positions in the league season so far, as we reach the halfway stage of the campaign for most of the Premier Soccer League teams. It is safe to say, though, that there are a few surprises in this list as several fan favourites miss out.
Since co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze took charge following Nasreddine Nabi’s exit, Amakhosi fans have intensified their calls for management to appoint the decorated coach; a move many believe could stabilise the club, restore its competitive edge and fill one of South African football’s most demanding yet coveted roles.
The Sea Robbers have been excellent in local competitions since the 2025/26 season began, already netting two crowns. This weekend, they have a chance to win another one, although unofficial, when they come up against a team selected by the fans at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Amakhosi and Masandawana have each produced four players in the starting side as voted in.
The experienced former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician has been serving Abafana Bes'thende since his unceremonious exit from the defending Premier Soccer League champions. He has, however, been linked to some top teams, including the Glamour Boys, who are currently under caretaker coaches until the end of the season.
The tactician has beaten a star-studded line-up of coaches and will now lead a yet-to-be-named All-Stars starting line-up. Although he is struggling at club level, the experienced tactician has a chance to win a trophy this season. However, he faces a tough test, given that the recently crowned Carling Knockout champions, Pirates, are his opponents.
There have been calls for Bafana to play against the so-called top nations as part of the preparations for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Local football's governing body has managed to secure a mouthwatering match against one of the teams that will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America as the final preparatory game for Hugo Broos' side.
The Moroccan-French tactician opened up about their biggest rivals' chances of winning the most coveted trophy in the country following the Buccaneers' Carling Knockout success in Polokwane. Ouaddou, who won the September-October PSL Coach of the Month accolade, also discussed the department which needs strengthening with one of Bucs' players likely to leave the club next month.
The Soweto giants ended the year on a rather disappointing and frustrating note, and will hope that 2026 brings plenty of improvements and success. In their final match of the year, the Glamour Boys were held to a goalless draw by a determined and disciplined TS Galaxy outfit on Sunday.
PSL's top three clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, are naturally monitoring the talented player's situation, having raided the Winelands side for stars over the years. The highly rated forward will see his contract expire at the end of the season, and this means he is free to sign a pre-contract with a club of his choice from January 1.
After a long-awaited debut, the youngster was given his first start for the Soweto giants. Just like his former teammate, his debut took too long to come by, given the off-pitch challenges he faced before he signed for Amakhosi. Now his performance on his debut has been assessed, but the coach asserted that what matters for Chiefs are the general performance of the team.
Amakhosi's recent run has been underwhelming, and in six possible Premier Soccer League points, the Soweto giants have only managed to collect two. They lost an opportunity to close in on Orlando Pirates, the league leaders so far, and second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. The Motaungs have now been asked to look for a new coach, a tactician with the right profile to handle the club and the players.
Kaizer Chiefs
