The first round of South Africa's premier knockout competition is set to kick-off on February 4, with some interesting match-ups on the cards. Defending champions Amakhosi and other participants now know when their fixtures are and the venues where they will play their games. This is a prestigious competition that comes with a ticket to play CAF Confederation Cup football next season.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions are known for their appetite for fine and quality players. They usually fight to retain those who add value to their squad hoping to continue dominating domestic football. The Brazilians are also determined to deliver on the continental assignments this season.
Tension between Downs and their fans' supporters continues to boil up because of the team's underwhelming performance. During the CAF Champions League game, which ended in a 2-2 draw at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, fans protested by chanting 'Pitso, Pitso. The club's sporting director was also subjected to harassment, and on Tuesday, Sundowns condemned those acts.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Benson Mhlongo has hit out at fans demanding the Portuguese coach's head after their 2-2 draw with Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League, insisting a mid-season switch would spell disaster.
With Masandawana struggling for consistent and impressive performance, the fans have expressed their frustrations in various ways, including blocking the team's bus in the past. After another frustrating outcome in the continental competition against the Sudanese giants, the club's head coach, Miguel Cardoso, and sporting director, Flemming Berg, were the targets of fans' protests. Now, the Pretoria-based outfit has vowed to take legal or disciplinary action against the fans involved in the incident reported on Friday.
After a frustrating draw at home against Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League, Masandawana have an opportunity to return to winning ways. The Tshwane giants are only at the top of the table courtesy of a superior goal difference over Orlando Pirates and cannot afford to drop points at this stage if they are not to complicate their chances of defending the league title. Already, the pressure is building up on head coach Miguel Cardoso, and rumours linking Pitso Mosimane with a return only add more uncertainty over his future at the club.
The defending champions will be playing Babina Noko for the first time this season at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. This is a massive game for Masandawana, who are aware that Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are also in the race for the title. Eric Tinkler's men have been doing well in the league as well.
Mokwena's trophy dream faced a new storm after a second loss in the continental competition. Now with just a point, MC Alger's ambition of reaching the knockout stage is uncertain after dropping points once again. According to the South African tactician, his side did not challenge their rivals, whom he says were simply the better team on the day.
The versatile midfielder was Amakhosi's transfer target before, but Masandawana decided to keep him although he has been struggling for game time. The Tshwane giants made sure they kept their quality stars in order to maintain their competitive edge and avoid strengthening their rivals by releasing their players to them. The Pretoria heavyweights have now been praised for keeping the midfielder by handing him a contract extension.
The blow has come at a time when the South African's multiple-title dream was boosted by a domestic trophy won a few days ago. Although Mokwena's campaign on the domestic front looks promising, he has struggled to find good form in the continental competition. Now, his side is facing what looks like an imminent elimination from Africa's premier inter-club competition.
The league is taking an interesting turn as Masandawana try hard to close the gap between them and runaway Bucs. On the other hand, Amakhosi suffered a huge setback after they suffered a defeat after a rather long period of point collection.
Pressure is mounting on the Brazilians’ coach as he struggles to convince supporters that he can deliver success at the club. Having gone into the 2025 AFCON break already under fire from fans, the Portuguese tactician is back in the furnace after failing to beat the Sudanese giants on Friday. Now, his players are being accused of actions that could amount to sabotage.
After a shaky start earlier in the week, Babina Noko held the Sea Robbers to a goalless draw on Saturday - a performance that earned praise from the 55-year-old tactician. However, he also flagged concerns over the team’s consistency.
The Sea Robbers failed to collect maximum points against Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, which saw them fail to get on top of the Premier Soccer League table. It is a slow start to the year, which was not anticipated by their faithful owing to their strong run in domestic competitions before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break.
After two seasons with the Moroccan giants, the 32-year-old attacker has moved to a new club. The ex-Bucs star was signed by Rhulani Mokwena, whose stint with the former CAF Champions League winners was turbulent, and the tactician left after a season. After Mokwena and Cassius Mailula's departure, Lorch has also left, leaving Wydad with no South African talent.
After starting the year on a bright note with a 2-0 Premier Soccer League victory over Orbit College, the Brazilians then stumbled and dropped points at home in their continental fixture against the Sudanese giants. That piles more pressure on their Portuguese coach whose job appears to be on the line.
When it comes to the PSL title race, many pundits and soccer fanatics are always ready to bet on either Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates winning it but not Amakhosi. Since 2015, the Glamour Boys have never won the league, and last season they finished outside the top eight. This season, they have shown improvements, but do they have quality players to help them end the league title drought?
The 30-year-old was the subject of transfer talk before the start of the current season after missing training amid rumours he was pushing for a move overseas. Now he is back in the headlines during this January transfer window, this time being linked with Masandawana’s fierce rivals, the Buccaneers. The defender has since taken time to respond to the latest rumours.
The South African winger is enjoying his football again after struggles with Orlando Pirates and the defending Premier Soccer League champions. The 32-year-old delivered in the Botola Pro League before inviting suitors from other countries. Nyoso is now set for a new challenge, hoping to sustain his form.
Masandawana's quest to get maximum points against Blue Wave was unsuccessful as they ended up not capitalising on the home ground advantage. This was their second game in a row in Group C that they have failed to collect maximum points following their 0-0 draw with MC Alger of Rhulani Mokwena in Matchday two. The Brazilians have now managed a win and two draws in their pool.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions have been working hard to ensure they retain their quality players. Masandawana are hoping to retain their South African top-flight crown despite winning it for the last eight seasons in a row. Furthermore, the Brazilians hope to make a statement in the Nedbank Cup as well as the CAF Champions League.
The experienced South African tactician has revisited his time with Al Ahly and said the African football governing body denied him a chance to make history with the Egyptian giants. The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician led the Red Devils to three Champions League finals but lost the third one. Now he has pointed fingers at those he said are to blame.
The two-year tradition is set to end after the 2028 edition, and the decision to shift the continental tournament continues to attract criticism and applause almost in equal measure. For long, African football fans knew that the competition would be held biennially, and this wait will be prolonged given the recent decision made and announced by CAF's president, Patrice Motsepe. Now, one of Africa's most experienced and most respected coaches has shared his concerns, blasting the people in charge at CAF.
Although they are widely considered to be among the top three football giants in the country, Amakhosi have lagged behind in terms of success as compared to Bucs and Downs. Masandawana have dominated the Premier Soccer League in the last eight straight seasons, and the Buccaneers have stamped their authority in the domestic competitions. The Glamour Boys, on the other hand, boast last season's Nedbank Cup success, a trophy that ended their decade-long wait for a major gong.
Masandawana are set to face one of their toughest challenges so far in the competition, as they are about to tackle an unbeaten opponent. The Pretoria giants resumed their campaign this year with a convincing win over Orbit College in the Premier Soccer League, and now the focus is on the continental campaign. The PSL heavyweights know they must make use of home advantage and open the gap in Group C, thus boosting their chance of reaching the knockout stage.
The Brazilians are back to continue with their bid to be crowned African champions for the first time since 2016 and they welcome their Sudanese opponents to Loftus Versfeld on Friday. Important for Masandawana is maintaining their Group C lead as they host a team they are tied on four points with, as goal difference separates the two sides.
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