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.
The Soweto giants closed off their first half of the Premier Soccer League campaign on Sunday with a frustrating 0–0 draw against TS Galaxy. Despite putting up a commendable challenge throughout the match, they were unfortunate to walk away with just a single point.
The January Transfer window is a couple of weeks ago, meaning the Premier Soccer League teams have already started identifying players to reinforce their respective squads ahead of the second half of the campaign. Usuthu and the Mswenko Boys are among the South African top-tier outfits expected to strengthen.
The forward has been finding the net with an impressive regularity recently, and his form has been picking up even though he was not named in South Africa's AFCON team. If he keeps finding the back of the net, then he will make himself hard to ignore, especially at a time when the World Cup finals lie ahead for Bafana. To do well in the global bonanza, Hugo Broos is expected to pick the best, and the forward only needs to maintain his form in Europe.
At one stage, Amakhosi were flying high at the very top of the PSL table, sparking talk of a title charge. Fast forward to the halfway stage of the campaign and Amakhosi now sit fourth, a spot that feels underwhelming after such a bright start. Fans expected the Glamour Boys to stay in the mix, but inconsistency has slowed their climb.
Amakhosi were once again left frustrated in front of goal, recording their second straight goalless stalemate after also firing blanks against Chippa United in midweek. Despite dominating large spells, Chiefs could not find the breakthrough against the Rockets in their match on Sunday, December 7, yet the point was enough to lift them into fourth place on the Premier Soccer League table.
With two games before the Premier Soccer League takes a break, Amakhosi had a chance to go level with Orlando Pirates. They were held by Chippa United, and the second attempt was to beat TS Galaxy and go level with Mamelodi Sundowns, but they have also squandered that chance. Although Galaxy were reduced, the Glamour Boys failed to take advantage, as they were frustrated at Mbombela Stadium.
Amakhosi arrived at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday, December 7, determined to rediscover their winning touch after a midweek stalemate against Chippa United away in Gqeberha that left them frustrated. The Soweto giants sought momentum, while the Rockets looked to harness their home ground advantage to climb the league standings in front of their supporters.
The 21-year-old has managed to reinvent himself after being discarded by Amakhosi, putting the Soweto giants under scrutiny for letting such a big talent slip away. While he has bounced back strongly from the Naturena setback, he is still chasing his major breakthrough on the international stage. Even though he earned a place in the preliminary squad for the 2025 AFCON, he has yet to firmly establish himself in the national team setup, but would be happy for the recognition.
The 26-year-old has been handed a lifeline in his international career as he heads to the continental competition with South Africa. He makes his return to the national team after a brief absence that followed his club switch and a dip in form. Now back on top of his game, his performances have convinced the technical team that he can add value to the national side again.
The Glamour Boys have been blowing hot and cold in the South African top-flight football, but they will be aiming to end the year on a high when they face the Rockets on Sunday. It will be a massive opportunity for the players to reward the supporters with a gift in the forthcoming festive period since victory will ensure they finish joint second in the log.
The Buccaneers waited until late in the second half of the extra time to find a way past Marumo Gallants to secure their second crown in domestic football. The former Morocco international had helped the Sea Robbers win the MTN8 title early in the season with a victory over Stellenbosch, who were determined to spoil the party.
Amakhosi have another chance to close in on Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the league standings. After being held to a goalless draw by Chippa United, the Glamour Boys will be looking to return to winning ways. Chiefs are on a three-match winless run across competitions, given their last victory came against Orbit College in early November.
The senior national team played in the 1998, 2002, and 2010 global competitions but failed to get past the initial hurdle. A majority of the supporters in the country believe that could change in the 2026 edition to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada after Friday's draw that saw Mzansi being placed in what they feel is a manageable group.
Amakhosi wrapped up a spirited outing in the United Kingdom on Saturday, December 6, having faced Manchester United, Leeds United and QPR. The young guns seized the chance to test themselves against overseas opposition, showing grit and hunger while soaking up valuable lessons. A tour that toughened their resolve and showed they can rise to grander occasions.
South Africa will open the prestigious global competition against the co-hosts, hoping to start on a high note to stand a chance of advancing to the knockout phase for the first time in their history. However, they will definitely not find it easy coming up against a team supported by thousands of home fans.
With the Premier Soccer League campaign taking shape, the title favourites can now be deduced based on how teams have fared so far. Usual competitors, the Sea Robbers and the Brazilians, are the leading contenders, pointing to another possibility that there will be a tight run between them again.
The Premier Soccer League giants are set to sharpen themselves with opponents outside the country as the season takes a break. The league will go into a break to allow players to represent their respective countries in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco. Five of the Masandawana stars will be part of Hugo Broos' team, but the rest will not have as much rest, as they are scheduled to participate in the tournament.
The 61-year-old celebrated South African tactician believes Hugo Broos' men have enough quality to ensure they don't fall in the initial phase of the prestigious global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The senior national team has, in the past, not made the knockout stage.
South Africa are set for the tournament, where they have been placed in Group A alongside the co-hosts, hoping to get the needed result that will see them get into the knockout phase. The country has never made it past the initial phase in the competition, and this will be a massive chance for them to show the world what they are made of.
The tacticians have been in charge of Amakhosi since Nasreddine Nabi left just as the season began. Both coaches were assistants to Nabi but were left untouched when the Soweto giants parted ways with the Nedbank Cup-winning Tunisian. Although they have led Chiefs to a historical milestone in the CAF Confederation Cup, their reign has been described as a disaster in waiting for the club.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions, Masandawana, are getting stiff competition from the Soweto giants, the Buccaneers, who have been consistent in their bid to win the South African top-flight football. The Brazilians have been dominating the top tier for almost a decade, where they have been crowned nine times.
The South African national team is just a few days away from departing for Morocco, where they will continue their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off on December 21. For a certain PSL right-back, who has earned a place in Hugo Broos’ 25-man squad, a new chapter begins. He will be aiming to see his career reach new heights while gaining valuable experience on the continental stage.
The Soweto giants square off against Bahlabane ba Ntwa in the Carling Knockout final at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, aiming to end the season on a high after also being guaranteed to end the year as Premier Soccer League leaders. Having already lifted the MTN8 in October, the Buccaneers are chasing a second major trophy this term as they seek to continue as domestic football's Cup Kings.
South Africa find themselves in seemingly challenging Group B at the continental tournament alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe. Navigating through this pool will be crucial if they are to reach the knockout rounds. They are determined to improve on their previous campaign, where they secured a bronze medal. However, doubts have surfaced after an experienced coach questioned the squad selected by the Belgian tactician. That scrutiny has added extra pressure on the team to prove their capabilities on the big stage.
Kaizer Chiefs
