In a bid to make themselves a competitive outfit in PSL and in Africa, Masandawana have always crossed the borders to bring on board players. Whereas some have come and left an impact, others have flopped despite high expectations that came with their arrival. In the off-season and mid-season transfer windows, Downs have followed the same script as they aim to collect more trophies.
Mokwena's charges registered their first win in the group to close in on Masandawana, who dropped points against Al Hilal. The Sudanese giants lead by a sizeable margin, but for Downs, MC Alger and Lupopo, the race to win the quarter-final ticket remains a tight affair.
The Buccaneers head honcho’s leadership of the league has divided opinion, with some accusing him of being a strongman who instils fear in his colleagues. However, others have come to his defence, describing him as more accommodating in his approach to issues.
Masandawana are playing catch-up, trying hard to close the gap between them and in-form Bucs. Meanwhile, inconsistent Amakhosi are staring at the prospect of losing the trophy, which was historically won last season.
The Buccaneers faithful have witnessed the value of having a game in hand. After the Mayfair-based side was ridiculed and tipped to drop points following their opening fixture, the Soweto outfit responded emphatically on Saturday evening, producing a commanding display to secure a convincing three points.
Bucs' intention of clinching the title from their arch-rivals becomes clearer each matchday as they keep widening the gap from their closest challengers. As the Sea Robbers' winning run continues, the defending champions' campaign gets even more complicated after dropping more points in a second straight game.
The 40-year-old legendary Masandawana custodian has started the last two games for the Brazilians. However, he was shaky on Friday as the Premier Soccer League giants suffered their first CAF Champions League defeat this season against the Blue Wave. The club's coach has since updated on the Bafana Bafana's captain situation.
After the Africa Cup of Nations finals, where, arguably, there was unanimous national support for Bafana Bafana, fans have now turned their focus on their individual clubs. With the Premier Soccer League gaining momentum after the AFCON break, the title chase is shaping up with the 'Big Three' tightly in the race. Mamelodi Sundowns are looking to defend the title; Pirates are hoping to end Masandawana's dominance after coming so close in the past few seasons, but can Amakhosi sustain the chase?
Before the Premier Soccer League went into the break to allow players to represent their countries in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, Bucs were at the top of the PSL standings. The Sea Robbers had also registered a five-match winning streak across all competitions before that break. However, they resumed the campaign with a goalless draw against Sekhukhune United, meaning they dropped points and saw their winning run halted.
The Brazilians' situation is growing increasingly tense, with mounting pressure that could cost coach Miguel Cardoso his job. The Tshwane giants have made continental glory their top priority, but they have been far from convincing in that competition this season after reaching the final last term. Those stuttering performances have only intensified scrutiny on Cardoso as patience begins to wear thin at Chloorkop.
The 2024/25 finalists and one-time champions were not convincing at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday night in the CAF inter-club competition. They struggled against the Sudanese outfit despite the massive quality that they had on the pitch. The result put Miguel Cardoso under pressure since he had the needed resources to succeed.
In the PSL mid-season transfer, clubs get another chance to strengthen their squads ahead of another gruelling remainder of the campaign. Although many clubs bought new players before the season began, the mid-season window gave them a chance to get the right players to strengthen further until Thursday, January 29, when it came to a close.
The race for the South African top-tier crown is interesting as the top dogs continue to get positive results. Apart from the Brazilians, who have won the last eight editions, the Buccaneers are determined to beat them to the prize in this edition. However, the Glamour Boys and Babina Nko have shown they can also win it.
Although Bucs have made some significant signings, two exits have defined their transfer business in the January window. The exit of Monnapule Saleng to Mamelodi Sundowns and Ndah's contract termination grabbed headlines. Now, after the centre-back's exit from Bucs was confirmed, he has been linked with a move to Masandawana.
When the two teams meet in Rwanda, there will be two critical factors to play for: three points and the top position of the group. Both the Sudanese giants and Masandawana have five points, and a winner of the encounter will massively boost their chances of reaching the knockout phase.
The Brazilians enter the second round of Group stage fixtures in this continental tournament that has eluded them since they were crowned African champions in 2016. They are now on the road, away at Al Hilal whom they meet in this Group C encounter at Amahoro Stadium, in Rwanda, on Friday. They go into this match against the backdrop of being held 2-2 at home by the same opponents last week, a result which saw fans baying for the head of coach Miguel Cardoso.
With a demanding schedule facing the Pretoria-based side, Masandawana coach Miguel Cardoso has had the opportunity to dig deep into his squad—an approach that saw a Bafana Bafana centre-back make his first appearance for the Brazilians in their mid-week clash against Sekhukhune United.
The 28-year-old has been struggling to get regular playing time at the Buccaneers despite recovering from a long term injury. The competition has been stiff, with those preferred by coach Abdeslam Ouaddou delivering as expected, explaining why the Super Eagles defender wasn't going to easily fit in. The Nigerian has now left the team, a couple of weeks after Mbekezeli Mbokazi left for Chicago Fire.
The Colombian forward joined the Tshwane giants earlier in January, and since his arrival, he has made an immediate impact on the pitch, reassuring Masandawana fans that they have secured a genuine goal-poacher. While it can sometimes take players a while to settle, the 25-year-old has beaten the odds. The Sundowns coach noted that his smooth adaptation has been made possible by the 'friendly' and supportive environment at Chloorkop.
The current campaign for the Soweto giants has shown significant improvement. After ending their trophy drought last season—a success that marked a new dawn for Amakhosi, their league form had been below par, finishing last season only two points higher than where they are now halfway through this campaign. According to co-coach Kaze, the team’s performance this season represents a notable step forward.
The Sea Robbers have had a strong run in domestic competitions this season, winning the two tournaments - MTN8 and the Carling Knockout, respectively. The Buccaneers are still determined to win the top-tier crown as well as the Nedbank Cup since they have what they need to go all the way. However, the supporters have been warned that nothing is guaranteed.
The Stellies are determined to get back into the top positions on the Premier Soccer League table. In the off-season transfer window, they lost some big names to top teams in the country, something that weakened them. It got worse when coach Steve Barker dumped them for Tanzanian Premier League heavyweights Simba SC.
With the emerging keepers at Naturena, the Amakhosi senior team is expected not to struggle for top stars in that department. However, the challenge for the Soweto giants is to produce dependable goalkeepers who can match or go above Itumeleng Khune in terms of performance and longevity. Replacing the former Bafana Bafana custodian has been a mission that Chiefs have not successfully accomplished since Khune left in 2024.
In a bid to get a constant supply of future stars, the Sea Robbers have added two upcoming youngsters into their ranks. Considered promising talents that could be the next big names in the South African football circles, Bucs have moved with speed to ensure they belong to them. In recent times, the Soweto giants have produced top stars who have ended up making their names at relatively young ages.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions are working hard to ensure they have enough depth. Apart from the domestic assignments, the Brazilians are hoping to win the CAF Champions League after falling in last season's final to Pyramids. Coach Miguel Cardoso is under pressure to deliver, explaining the new arrivals.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
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