The tournament is one of the best-attended events in December, drawing spectators from far and wide every year. The tournament in question is one of the oldest in the country, but this year's edition was rocked by a controversial incident that forced one match to be abandoned. This is another incident that has been reported after a football administrator was killed in another annual tournament in Limpopo.
The national team laboured to a narrow win over COSAFA rivals, the Warriors in a closely contested Group B outing staged at the Marrakesh Stadium on Monday evening. It was a massive result for the 1996 winners, who will, potentially, play Cameroon or the defending champions Ivory Coast, in the next phase.
The Buccaneers have made themselves favourites to win the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League title. They currently lead the standings, enjoying a two-point lead at the top with two points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. That could see Abdeslam Ouaddou's men breaking Sundowns' stranglehold on the PSL after winning eight straight titles.
The Brazilians have been dominating the South African top-flight for a decade, winning nine out of the possible 10 top-tier crowns, with a now-defunct Bidvest Wits the only team to have stopped them from achieving the feat. As a matter of fact, they have won the last eight crowns consecutively, but it seems the Soweto giants are determined to stop them.
While the Masandawana faithful have been enjoying a breather, with the Africa Cup of Nations taking centre stage and little to worry about regarding their team, the Buccaneers have headed into the Premier Soccer League break in high spirits. And they will be looking to pick up exactly where they left off and maintain their momentum when league action resumes.
Although the Mzansi football supporters are currently preoccupied by Bafana Bafana's AFCON campaign, back in their minds they wish their clubs will be successful this season. Given what the PSL landscape looks like at the moment, there is a possible neck-to-neck battle for the PSL title between Bucs and Downs. The big question is whether the Soweto giants can finally end Masandawana's dominance after failing to do so in recent seasons.
The Bafana coach has stressed that the young defender is already ripe to test himself in a well-established and developed competition like the leagues in Europe. The experienced tactician was not particularly impressed when the defender completed a move to Major League Soccer just before the AFCON finals began. Giving an example of how Mbokazi played against the Pharaohs, the Belgian insisted his defender needs better competition.
The Premier Soccer League is currently among the best on the African continent, owing to the competitiveness seen and the value. Top and quality players from all over the world have been playing trade in the Mzansi top-flight football, with upcoming players also claiming a piece of the cake thanks to their displays.
A football administrator was killed in an annual tournament held in Limpopo and concluded on Saturday. A coach from the Red Devils was in attendance, where he managed to conduct some football clinics for some clubs and stakeholders in the Province of Limpopo, hoping to see the game in the region improve.
The striker's contract with his current club is understood to be ending when the ongoing season concludes. He has been linked with a number of Premier Soccer League sides, including the Buccaneers, who need a prolific forward to help them chase more trophies. The AFCON star has been linked with the Sea Robbers at a time when there is more speculation on Tshegofatso Mabasa, who has fallen down the pecking order.
In a bid to stabilise the boat rocked by inconsistency in their ongoing Premier Soccer League season, the club have made a wide range of changes. The club have brought on board key figures that are experienced in top-flight football, hoping their arrival will give them the positive results they are yearning for. The newly appointed figures have enough time to strategise and come up with a working plan before the season resumes after the AFCON break.
Hugo Broos' men were unable to stop the Pharaohs on Friday at Adrar Stadium in Agadir in the Group B outing. It wasn't what the supporters expected as they saw their team struggle against the seven-time champions, who played the entire second half with a man less. It put Mzansi in an awkward position ahead of the date with the Warriors.
The Buccaneers are revamping their squad as the PSL transfer window looms, with two players having left the club. The PSL log leaders are also set to bring in a new attacker to reinforce a squad bidding to complete a quadruple this season, after their MTN8 and Carling Knockout success. A rapid attacker was not short of admirers after becoming a free agent following his Bucs exit and GOAL has been exclusively been informed that he has signed a long-term deal at a PSL rival.
The Buccaneers went for this current international break leading the PSL table and relegating Sundowns to second place. The Soweto giants enjoy two points clear at the top, having played a game less than the Brazilians. That gives them a crucial edge ahead of the resumption of league action in January.
The coach is in Morocco, where the Mzansi star has established chemistry with a huge section of the fans who support Wydad Casablanca. Despite the forward's impressive outing with the Moroccan heavyweights, he was snubbed for the AFCON finals. Many believe the 32-year-old is still a national asset, but Broos does not think that is the right position.
Bafana Bafana triumphed 2–1 over Angola in a closely contested clash that could have gone either way. The Palancas Negras fought valiantly, constantly testing Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, but a decisive strike from Lyle Foster proved enough to separate the sides by the final whistle.
The Brazilians once again underline their ambition, moving decisively to strengthen their squad. The club’s relentless pursuit of excellence has become a hallmark of their identity, ensuring that each transfer window brings in players who can elevate both their immediate performance and long‑term standing in the Premier Soccer League and the continent.
Bucs' key players dominate the Bafana squad that is in Morocco chasing the Africa Cup of Nations glory. Back home, the two Premier Soccer League giants have shown real intent of winning the league title at the halfway mark. The PSL title race is already taking shape, and when the competition resumes, no one will want to sleep and cede ground.
Given their performance in Ivory Coast in the last AFCON edition, Bafana go into the upcoming finals as pre-tournament favourites. The North Africans, on the other hand, are the record champions and, in addition to the kind of players they have, are automatically tipped as favourites too. Coincidentally, both are in Group B, and football fans will be treated to a high-stakes encounter at the preliminary stage.
In recent months, Orlando Pirates have sold two of their gems, and another has been tipped to follow in their footsteps soon. Despite the fact he is one of the most promising South African stars, Mofokeng is yet to seal a big move. It started with Nkota before Mbokazi followed suit, but what is holding back President Yama 2000 has been explained.
The subject of whether the Bafana Bafana defender should have waited to play in AFCON first before choosing his next club has been quite a hot topic. Broos was the first one to publicly question the move to the Major Soccer League. According to the experienced tactician, Mbokazi should have at least waited to play in the AFCON and World Cup finals before considering a move.
After making only four signings at the start of the 2025/26 season, Fawaaz Basadien, Tsiki Ntsabeleng on loan from FC Dallas, Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho, one feels Masandawana are still searching for the perfect balance to sustain their dominance. The Brazilians remain strong contenders, but the Premier Soccer League CAF Champions League demands more depth and fresh energy.
The Glamour Boys have started the season quite well, having managed to stay in touch with the Premier Soccer League favourites, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. Despite their impressive run in the South African top-flight football, Amakhosi have been accused of not showing the needed hunger that will push them to titles.
With mounting questions surrounding the capabilities of the Chiefs' co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, and growing frustration among the Naturena faithful, the Soweto giants have once again found themselves at the centre of intense debate. Discontent continues to ripple through the fan base as uncertainty lingers over the team's direction, reigniting widespread discussions about who would be the right fit to take charge as head coach and steer the club back toward stability and success.
The Brazilians are staring at the grim prospect of ending the season empty-handed unless they mount a turnaround of their fortunes. To avert that outcome, Masandawana might need to pull their socks up in the PSL title race while also raising their game in the CAF Champions League and the Nedbank Cup. The pressure has intensified after the Tshwane giants already missed out on the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout this season.
After a few seasons of the Soweto giants showing flashes of being a dangerous outfit only to fall short at crucial moments, the Sea Robbers have produced a commendable run of form, signaling their intent to go for everything in the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season. The Bucs have already lifted three trophies before the halfway mark of the campaign — the MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup, and Carling Black Label Cup — while also sitting top of the league table, underlining their growing authority and consistency.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
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