The Tshwane giants face a tough challenge of defending the league crown after a dominance that has stretched for eight seasons straight. What makes it an even more entertaining race is the fact that the two Soweto giants are pushing hard and Downs are inconsistent. As the marathon intensifies, the defending champions have been told not to look for favours elsewhere but must do it by themselves.
This is a season that has the Masandawana faithful counting down to the final whistle, hopeful that the Tshwane giants can still salvage success from what has largely felt like a campaign to forget. With frustrations mounting and fingers pointed at management and the coach, questions have swirled around team selections. However, Cardoso has set the record straight and firmly dismissed the allegations.
The tactician has been under incredible pressure as the Tshwane giants struggle to impose themselves as compared to previous seasons. Already, the Brazilians failed to win the Nedbank Cup, the Carling Knockout, and the MTN8, meaning their ambitions of lifting multiple trophies are not tenable. Masandawana's inconsistency raises more questions about whether they are competitive enough to win the PSL and CAF Champions League.
After elimination from the continental competition, the South African tactician has continued to face challenges as his charges are yet to win. The Algerian outfit has not won in the last three games, and if the trend continues, it will put the former Masandawana coach under pressure. As the winless run extends, the 38-year-old tactician must come up with a plan to steady his boat before it gets worse.
The duel between South Africa's football giants is set to grab the limelight as the Premier Soccer League rivals from Soweto clash on Saturday. Both Amakhosi and the Buccaneers will need the points from the game to boost their chances of winning the league title. Apart from the three points up for grabs, the Sea Robbers and the Glamour Boys will be fighting for the fixture's bragging rights.
The Brazilians are chasing the Premier Soccer League crown as well as the CAF Champions League after the recent loss to TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup's Round of 16. Fringe players were given a chance to prove their worth but ended up struggling against the Rockets to crash out of the annual domestic competition.
The biggest fixture on the South African football calendar is under the microscope as Stadium Management SA (SMSA) gears up for a high-stakes derby. Ahead of the clash between Amakhosi and the Buccaneers at FNB Stadium, CEO Bertie Grobbelaar has announced that an independent firm, Fan Services, has been recruited to handle ticket scanning following a series of technical embarrassments during recent high-profile matches.
The 27-year-old last played a competitive football match in November 2025 while on loan at Orbit College from Orlando Pirates. He was apparently playing while carrying a thigh injury that flared up again after his shock move to Chloorkop in January. Now, as February draws to a close, rumours have started swirling about why the winger has yet to make an appearance in a match day squad at Masandawana.
Brazilians returned to the top of the Premier Soccer League table after edging Usuthu 1-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday. As the match appeared to be headed for a goalless draw, the Chilean rose from the bench to grab the only goal of the match and spark wild celebrations from Masandawana, who were staring at another humiliating outing following the Nedbank Cup exit.
Although the Durban-based outfit is one of the traditional clubs in South Africa, they are yet to be considered as one of the big outfits compared to their rivals. Usuthu is a club with a legacy in the country but is yet to match their Premier Soccer League rivals like Bucs, Downs and Amakhosi. However, its top official has made a bold claim that it is time for the team to take its rightful position in the football circle.
The Sea Robbers joined giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs out of the competition after falling to minnows on Saturday. The second-tier outfit were inspired by their custodian, who was confident throughout the game, ensuring his defense didn't leak. The 25-year-old has explained his heroics against the Soweto giants.
Just three months ago, the 27-year-old was enjoying the acclaim of his performances with the Five-Star Player of the Month Award for November and talk of a possible big move being mooted. Since then, his Spanish club have gone on a run of no wins in 10 games, which has seen them drop into the relegation zone and announce the sacking of coach Jose Ziganda, the man who brought the reigning PSL Player of the Year to the club.
The Brazilians' dream to win a treble was ended on Saturday as TS Galaxy knocked them out of the Nedbank Cup in the Round of 16. They are now chasing the CAF Champions League and the Premier Soccer League, hoping to go all the way and deliver. However, they must show their ambition by beating Usuthu on Tuesday.
The Brazilians were shocked by the Rockets in their Nedbank Cup Round of 16 after falling 2-0. They now need to bounce back against Arthur Zwane's Usuthu in the Premier Soccer League fixture to be staged at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday. A win will send them to the top of the table after their latest victory over Orlando Pirates.
The Brazilians went into their Nedbank Cup Round of 16 tie against TS Galxy brimming with confidence after qualifying for the CAF Champions League quarter finals, and beating league title rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1. But the coach fielded a side full of fringe players who were undone by the Rockets to crash out of the Nedbank Cup. Now Sello Mahlangu has lashed out at the coach and his decision making.
The domestic competition is set to have a new winner after the defending champions, Kaizer Chiefs, were eliminated. The Round of 16 matches concluded on Sunday with more teams booking their places in the quarter-final. Babina Noko, who are also mathematically in the Premier Soccer League title race, progressed in this knockout competition.
The Sea Robbers and the Tshwane giants recently met in a high-profile and high-stakes league encounter. In the end, Masandawana managed a win which helped them close in on the Soweto giants as the title race gathers momentum. Although the defending league champions won, they have been warned, as the Sea Robbers are said to enjoy an advantage in the race.
When the Rockets revealed that their match against the Tshwane giants will be hosted at a ground situated about 73 km from Pretoria, there were murmurs. In a packed Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, the Mpumalanga-based outfit knocked out Masandawana. Consequently, Miguel Cardoso's side saw their dream of claiming a domestic Cup this season end after earlier setbacks in the Carling Knockout and MTN8.
The PSL big three have all exited the Nedbank Cup, shifting full focus onto the league title race. While Mamelodi Sundowns still have continental commitments, the spotlight now turns to the Soweto teams. A retired footballer believed the Glamour Boys still have a chance and that this is their opportunity to fight and be among Africa’s elite clubs.
Even as the Masandawana coach rotates his squad to keep the team fresh, the former Stellenbosch FC star still struggles for regular game time. Despite the Brazilians blowing hot and cold, competition for places remains fierce, limiting his match opportunities. Having travelled to the United States with the Tshwane giants last June, he now hopes to make the trip again, but this time with the South Africa national soccer team.
Masandawana's inconsistency this season was exposed again after falling to the Rockets in a domestic knockout competition. After two consecutive morale-boosting wins against Orlando Pirates and MC Alger, many expected the Tshwane giants to sweep their cup rivals aside, but that was not the case. The elimination is set to add more pressure on the coach at a time the season is heading towards a vital period.
Abafana Bes’thende were meant to be celebrating their progression to the quarter-finals, but their victory was clouded by controversy and lingering “what if” questions over a contentious incident. Despite his side being on the favourable end of the decision, the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor maintained that the league urgently needs VAR to keep pace with the speed of the modern game.
The 20-year-old started his first competitive match for his new club, but it did not go as planned. Despite taking the lead in the first half through Hugo Cuypers, Chicago succumbed to two second half goals to slump to their first defeat of the Eastern Conference season. Puso Dithejane also made his debut when he replaced his fellow countryman in the 88th minute.
The Premier Soccer League takes a break this weekend as clubs chase a slot in the last eight of the annual domestic competition. After holders Amakhosi were knocked out by the Cape Winelands side, it is interesting to see who takes over. Top dogs Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have also both been eliminated.
The Brazilians had hoped to continue with their recent run both in the CAF Champions League, where they made the quarter-final stage, as well as the Premier Soccer League after beating Orlando Pirates to reduce the gap to three points. However, they were humbled by the Rockets, who are now dreaming big following their triumph.
The Buccaneers are out of the Nedbank Cup after being knocked out by their National First Division opponents, via a penalty shootout, at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. It was a second successive defeat for the Soweto giants after losing 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a Premier Soccer League match on Wednesday.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC.JPG?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
