Masandawana have reportedly finally departed for Morocco after a tense 24-hour delay over landing permit issues threatened to disrupt their CAF Champions League final preparations, with the squad initially stranded at OR Tambo International Airport before clearance was eventually secured.
Former Masandawana star Thabo Nthethe has sent a firm warning to the Portuguese coach ahead of the club's high-stakes Champions League final second leg against AS FAR. Despite the veteran centre-back returning from suspension, the legendary defender believes disrupting the current backline partnership would be a fatal mistake for the Brazilians.
The Brazilians midfielder has sent a clear message of intent ahead of the decisive second leg of the CAF Champions League final. Following a narrow 1-0 victory over the Moroccan side in the opening encounter, the Chilean star insists the South African giants possess the psychological edge required to secure continental glory.
The Brazilians midfielder has revealed how they meticulously planned to target a specific mobility issue in the Moroccan side's backline that allowed the hosts to dominate the proceedings at Loftus Versfeld and will hopefully carry that same tactical advantage into the second leg.
The private charter travel arrangements the Pretoria club had made to travel to the CAF Champions League second leg in Rabat were delayed by 24 hours after North African authorities failed to grant permission for plane to land.
The Brazilians boss has thrown his full support behind his defender, insisting the 28-year-old is ready for the international stage. With coach Hugo Broos set to name his squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup next week, the timing of Cardoso’s endorsement could not be more significant.
Former Kaizer Chiefs mentor believes a changing of the guard is finally sweeping through South African football as the domestic season races towards a dramatic climax. The experienced tactician insists the Sea Robbers are well-positioned to land the league title and end years of dominance from their rivals at Chloorkop, although he warns it will be anything but straightforward, with a tough challenge awaiting them on the final day of the campaign.
The Brazilians legend has sent a clear message to the loanee, who is preparing to settle his future ahead of the new season. The former Masandawana captain believes the left-back must prioritise playing time over the prestige of returning to Chloorkop.
The former Premier Soccer League coach has thrown his weight behind the Tshwane giants as they look to conquer Africa this weekend. The veteran tactician believes the Brazilians have what it takes to navigate a treacherous second-leg trip to Morocco and finally add a second star to their crest.
The Tshwane giants stand on the cusp of continental immortality, and a towering figure from the club’s golden era has thrown his weight behind the cause. After grinding out a slender first-leg advantage, the current Portuguese mentor expressed heartfelt appreciation for the backing of the legendary former Masandawana coach.
The ambitious Libyan giants are apparently not content with luring Thembinkosi Lorch and Stephane Aziz Ki to Tripoli and have set their sights on two Masandawana players to bolster the South African coach's squad.
The Sea Robbers star has opened up on the frustration felt within the Buccaneers camp following a damaging goalless draw against the Durban-based outfit. The Soweto giants missed a massive opportunity to tighten their grip on the Premier Soccer League title race in front of a packed Orlando Amstel Arena.
Masandawana star has admitted that hope has been restored at Chloorkop following the Soweto giants' recent slip-up in the Premier Soccer League title race. After the Buccaneers failed to capitalise on their chance to move into pole position, the Bafana Bafana international is crossing his fingers for one final twist on the concluding day of the campaign.
The Masandawana head coach has earmarked the 20-year-old for greatness after a composed showing in the first leg of the Champions League final. Despite the weight of a continental showdown, the winger delivered a performance beyond his years as the Brazilians secured a vital 1-0 advantage over Moroccan giants AS FAR.
The Buccaneers tactician has been forced to defend his tactical choices after a frustrating 0-0 draw with the KZN-based side that dealt a massive blow to the club’s title ambitions. The decision to hand the youngster a shock start in such a high-stakes environment has raised eyebrows across the South African football landscape.
The Brazilians will take a slender lead to Morocco for the second leg of the CAF Champions League final, but defender Keanu Cupido is under no illusions about the hostile atmosphere awaiting the South African giants in Rabat that will test their resolve to the limit.
The Al-Zaeem boss has refused to throw in the towel after his side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the South African side in the first leg of the continental showpiece. Despite the setback at Loftus Versfeld, the Portuguese tactician believes the tie is far from over as the Moroccans prepare for the return leg on home soil.
The Chloorkop side is just one step away from making history as the first Premier Soccer League team to lift the Champions League trophy twice. Following their narrow home victory on Sunday afternoon, the Brazilians head into the decisive second leg with a slender one-goal advantage. While the margin leaves little room for error and calls for caution away from home, the Portuguese tactician remains confident his charges have what it takes to finish the job in Morocco and seal a historic triumph.
The Tshwane side arrived with ambitions of pushing for a second star and making amends for last season’s CAF Champions League final heartbreak, but they were met by a Moroccan outfit equally determined to make history of their own. As Miguel Cardoso had planned, Sundowns managed to get the result while also keeping a clean sheet. Although the narrow scoreline may not be enough to feel fully comfortable, the second leg will ultimately determine whether the South African giants have done enough to put one hand on the trophy.
The KZN-born coach has delivered a stinging assessment of the Sea Robbers' attacking prowess after his side held the Soweto giants to a frustrating 0-0 draw on Saturday. The result leaves the Buccaneers' title charge in serious jeopardy, with the interim coach insisting his side felt comfortable throughout the encounter at the Orlando Amstel Arena.
The Amakhosi co-coach has offered a candid assessment of the club’s season, insisting the Glamour Boys were genuine title contenders for large parts of the campaign. He believes Chiefs consistently pushed the log leaders and remained firmly in the mix until a late-season dip slowed their momentum. Despite that setback, the Burundian tactician feels there is plenty to take forward, highlighting there's lessons picked and how they can be done differently going forward as the team looks to mount a stronger and more sustained challenge at the summit in the future.
The Sea Robbers winger has urged his teammates to ignore the outside noise after a frustrating afternoon at the Orlando Amstel Arena. The Buccaneers saw their Premier Soccer League title ambitions suffer a significant blow following a goalless draw against a resilient Durban City side.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the continent's premier competition final first leg encounter between Miguel Cardoso's Masandawana and Alexandre Santos' Al-Zaeem at a sold out Loftus Versfeld as the Pretoria-based club look for a significant advantage to take to Morocco for the second leg next weekend.
The Tshwane giants' head coach has moved to quell growing anxiety regarding the state of the Loftus Versfeld pitch ahead of their monumental CAF Champions League Final clash. The tactical mastermind opened up on the extreme measures being taken behind the scenes to keep the surface in elite condition, despite a frantic schedule at the Pretoria venue.
The Soweto giants came into the encounter intent on wrapping up their business early and effectively killing off any lingering Premier Soccer League title debate, hoping to head into their final fixture against Orbit College with reduced pressure. But City had their own script to follow, determined to tighten their grip on a top-eight finish. In the end, the Buccaneers faithful were left on edge as Mamelodi Sundowns supporters found fresh belief in the title race once again.
The Brazilians legend Clayton Daniels has dismissed fears surrounding the club’s recent defensive struggles as they prepare for the first leg final of the continental clash. Despite a worrying trend at the back, the former Masandawana centre-back believes the magnitude of the upcoming game will see the players rise to the occasion.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
