Even though the Premier Soccer League title has entered a critical juncture, the Sea Robbers could not beat Siwelele and ended up dropping points. The Buccaneers were not lethal in front of goal and wasted many goal-scoring opportunities, with blame placed squarely on their strikers. But according to their legend, all is not lost, and Pirates still have a high chance of winning the title.
Referees play a critical role in any football competition but a long line of controversial decisions in South African football are undermining the integrity of the officials. Virtually all of the PSL's coaches have pointed out various refereeing mistakes during the season but, as the 33-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns player points out, the officals who make these mistakes rarely, if ever, are punished for their errors.
The veteran coach has made his feelings crystal clear as more and more technology enters into elite sport. In his view, digital innovations cannot replace the knowledge and experience of learning your coaching skills on the training pitch and in matches themselves.
Former Bucs striker Andries Sebola did not hold back in his assessment of the current forward line following the stalemate at Orlando Amstel Arena and believes the lack of clinical finishing is threatening their title aspirations, specifically singling out their 24-year-old striker for criticism and questioning Abdeslam Ouaddou's tactics and substitutions.
After winning two domestic trophies, Bucs' focus is now firmly on the Premier Soccer League title. However, they face a real challenge from defending champions Masandawana, who have put themselves in a strong position to extend their dominance in the top flight. Just like the previous seasons, the race is turning out to be a two-horse race as Downs and the Soweto giants engage in a tight battle for the title.
Masandawana are the only Premier Soccer League side left juggling both domestic and continental commitments this season. After missing out on three major trophies so far, the Tshwane giants face the risk of ending the campaign empty-handed, and at the same time, they could still turn their season around by finishing with two pieces of silverware.
The Portuguese star is fast settling with the Tshwane giants and has made vital contributions, especially in the CAF Champions League. Given that this is his first season in the Premier Soccer League, the playmaker is still in the process of familiarising himself with the terrain of the competition. Despite what he has shown, some have criticised the 27-year-old, but he has answered them.
The Tshwane giants have set the tone for the second leg after putting a healthy number of goals past their opponents at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday night, but the Malian outfit mentor remains confident that they can turn the tie around when they host the return fixture in Bamako.
The Brazilians delivered a masterclass on Friday evening in the Champions League clash against Stade Malien, leaving their opponents with no answers as Masandawana dominated proceedings in their own backyard. However, VAR stole the spotlight on the night, with Cardoso praising the technology for helping officials make the right decisions.
To boost their chances of reaching the semi-finals, Kabo Yellow needed a huge victory at home before focusing on the second leg. The Tshwane giants fought and claimed a win and a clean sheet, meaning they are on the right course to reach the last four. However, the battle is not over, as the Brazilians will travel to Mali for the second leg, a crucial battle where the Bamako-based side will be keen on pulling off a miracle.
The veteran midfielder remains one player the South Africa national football team could need at the global football tournament if he rediscovers his authority in the middle of the park. Currently used sparingly by Masandawana, he has yet to reach the top form that made him a dominant force in midfield. That has created anticipation over whether he can rise again and reclaim the midfield-king status he once enjoyed.
With Amakhosi's form on a downward spiral, much of the blame has focused on their co-coaches, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. This has led to speculation around who is next for the Naturena hotseat. One of those names belongs to the 46-year-old Bosnian who is remembered in South Africa for his stint at TS Galaxy and his feud with Rhulani Mokwena.
The Masandawana defender has insisted that his omission from the Bafana squad in their past few camps is not a concern for him as he focuses on helping his club achieve its targets. The defender has developed into one of the most reliable figures in Miguel Cardoso’s set-up this season, battling back from an injury-hit spell to re-establish himself at the core of Sundowns’ defensive unit.
In perhaps the most predictable outburst, The Brazilians coach has lashed out at the way in which South Africa's domestic league is scheduling fixtures around continental matches. This comes only hours after the PSL announced that 'Downs would have to play Marumo Gallants on Tuesday, March 17 at Loftus Versfeld, in between their two legged quarter finals clash with Stade Malien.
The Brazilians would be hoping the knockouts of this continental competition will not be as difficult as the group stage, where they went for a four-match winless streak at some point. It is a fresh chapter of this season's campaign as they bid to improve on last term's run, where they ended up as the losing finalists.
After engaging in the Premier Soccer League game just days ago, Masandawana have regrouped and are fully focused on the CAF Champions League. The Tshwane giants needed a win in their last group match to reach the quarter-finals and now begin their campaign in the knockout phase. Given that they will host the continental rivals, Downs must make sure they take full advantage of home support.
As part of their post-season schedule, the Sea Robbers will engage in a tournament that will be held outside the country. Apart from becoming the first team from the continent to take part in the competition, Bucs will fight to win the millions in prize money. However, currently, the focus is on the Premier Soccer League title.
The Brazilians have been balancing responsibilities between the Premier Soccer League title race and the CAF Champions League which gives Masandawana a much heavier schedule than their title rivals Orlando Pirates. Their coach has called on the league to give them more breathing space in the fixture schedule as they juggle both competitions but these pleas have been ignored by the PSL, which has clearly angered the Portuguese coach. And now, with the latest rescheduling announced he is not going to be happy at all.
Die Roten Bullen have lifted the lid on their upcoming Re Kaofela Tour to South Africa, revealing that their clash with The Brazilians is far more than just a post-season exhibition match. The German outfit are heading to Mzansi with a clear objective: to identify the next generation of South African superstars and establish a permanent scouting foothold in the domestic league market.
The Premier Soccer League title race is intensifying each matchday as the Sea Robbers and Mamelodi Sundowns engage in a neck-and-neck battle. After a 2-0 win over Richards Bay matched The Brazilians' result the previous night against Orbit College, the Bucs tactician made a promise to the club's fans.
The Premier Soccer League title race is intensifying each matchday as the Sea Robbers and Masandawana engage in a neck-and-neck battle. None of the leading sides are ready to relent, as each keeps amassing points, which means the gap at the top is so close, making the race a high-intensity marathon.
Ezimnyama Ngenkani were found responsible for causing problems in the annual tournament against their top-tier rivals recently. They have now been fined thousands of Rand, as well as being eliminated from the competition. It is a massive blow for the management and fans who had hoped to go all the way.
Players from Masandawana dominated the South Africa national football team squad at the 2023 AFCON tournament, forming the backbone of coach Hugo Broos’ side. However, the most recent national team selections have seen stars from Orlando Pirates making up the majority of the squad. Still, the Brazilians’ players are gradually forcing their way back into the national team fold as they continue to impress at the club level.
The 20-year-old has been training at Naturena, and back in his mind, he is eyeing a professional deal with the Soweto giants. After a signing spree in the off-season window, Amakhosi did not sign any player for the senior team in the mid-season. Although the focus is now firmly on the remaining matches of the season, the scouting departments of teams should be busy in the market trying to find players who they hope will strengthen their squads.
The Brazilians were back to their dominant best in beating the Mswenko Boys in a PSL clash on Tuesday, despite resting several players ahead of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal on Friday. The regulation 2-0 win moved former Amakhosi winger and now vocal pundit Junior Khanye to declare the title race with the Buccaneers was as good as over before they even kicked a ball in their own mid-week league assignment against Richards Bay.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
