The Premier Soccer League title race is taking shape, and there is an indication that, just like the previous three seasons, it will be a battle between the Soweto giants and the Pretoria heavyweights. Past the halfway mark, Pirates sit at the top with two more points than Downs, meaning it is easy to predict a neck-to-neck title showdown once again.
The 32-year-old attacking midfielder enjoyed a highly credible spell with the Sea Robbers, where he played a pivotal role in helping Orlando Pirates lift three MTN8 Cups. He also tasted success in domestic cup football, contributing to the club’s Nedbank Cup triumph. Beyond the local scene, Makaringe had the privilege of showcasing his talents on the continental stage, featuring in the CAF Champions League and testing himself against some of Africa’s top clubs. Known for his creativity, vision, and knack for key moments, he established himself as a respected and influential figure during his time at Mayfair.
The 27-year-old produced a series of impressive displays in the Premier Soccer League during his time with Masandawana, from which he is now beginning to show at Spanish second-tier side Cultural Leonesa. Despite a slow start with his new club, he has attracted growing interest in recent weeks after finally finding his scoring touch and winning over the club's supporters.
The attacker, who has also been linked with Kaizer Chiefs, has seen a rapid rise in the Premier Soccer League. With the short transfer window approaching, he is set to be linked with more clubs, but Bucs have been told to sign him since he has a profile that fits their needs. The Pirates' linked star has also been tipped as a future prized asset for the national team, Bafana Bafana.
The Soweto giants have come under scrutiny despite their efforts to end a 10-year trophy drought a year ago. While the team shows promise, a significant gap remains. Current co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze are still struggling to settle on their trusted starting eleven, and some questionable selections have impacted results. Much of the disappointment, however, can be traced back to the club’s struggles in goal poaching.
It is always refreshing to hear some Premier Soccer League [PSL] players being linked with overseas clubs, especially big European leagues. In recent times, young players in South Africa have been getting their big moves to Europe or the USA, with the latest being talented former Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
The 21-year-old versatile attacker has been a factor in the Premier Soccer League, where he has consistently delivered for the Rockets, who gave him a chance following his unceremonious exit from the Glamour Boys' junior team two seasons ago. He has been linked with several top teams in the country and abroad.
With Masandawana struggling to find a winning consistency that is always associated with them, pressure has been piling on the tactician. The Premier Soccer League title race is expected to be a tough one, and with that in mind, the big question for the Pretoria giants is whether to stick with or sack their coach. However, Downs have been advised that parting ways with the former Esperance head coach would be a risky move.
As the experienced tactician is preparing his players for the continental finals, his selections continue to be placed under scrutiny. There was noise when players like Thembinkosi Lorch were snubbed, but Broos has always defended his decision. Now, his squad has been described as unbalanced and a disgrace to the country just days before the finals begin in Morocco.
The 27-year-old former Masandawana versatile and creative attacker is finally getting it right in Europe, a couple of months after his controversial exit from the reigning champions of the South African top-flight football. The South American is proving to be a talent and might soon play in the Spanish top tier.
The forward's efforts in recent games have been recognised by being given an award just days before the continental games begin in Morocco. The youngster beat his equally in-form teammate to the club's prestigious award. Both Bucs' stars are in the Bafana camp, where their AFCON preparations have intensified.
The South African tactician continues to make waves in North Africa, guiding MC Alger with a calm authority and a growing sense of purpose. Mokwena’s unbeaten run has injected belief into the squad and heightened expectations among supporters as the club pushes deeper into the Algerian Cup and edges closer to silverware.
Despite bringing in 11 new faces to Naturena in the last PSL transfer window, the Soweto giants are still expected to go into the market to address issues in creativity and their inconsistent scoring. More transfer activity could help fix those problematic departments in a team that has, however, shown clear improvement in defence and goalkeeping this season. A former Amakhosi player has already recommended an in-form PSL star as the club’s ideal next signing.
The Sea Robbers have had quite an impressive Premier Soccer League campaign so far and rightfully top the standings. A coach who won the PSL title with Masandawana has warned that teams have cracked Bucs' success code and will frustrate them when the season resumes. The tactician has, however, pointed out that the Buccaneers have the capacity and ability to withstand the frustrations expected.
The Moroccan tactician is having a dream start at Pirates, as he has collected three trophies so far since the season began. Although the latest collection is not an official one, it matters a lot because it was won without key players and against a side that had a number of top players from PSL. Naturally, one would expect him to celebrate, but the former Marumo Gallants coach says his mind is focused on what is more important.
Even though some of their key players were not available, the Sea Robbers outshone the combined All-Stars team to secure another trophy. The exhibition match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium gave the Soweto giants a chance to add another collection into their trophy cabinet. The victory in the Carling Black Label Cup came after they had secured a cup double following their success in the Carling Knockout.
Masandawana’s depth is the envy of the continent - a squad stacked with internationals, specialists and system players built for dominance across competitions. But that strength comes with a cost: talented footballers slipping down the pecking order, roles shrinking, confidence fading and careers stalling under the weight of relentless competition in a team designed to win everything.
Masandawana travelled across the borders and fought to win a tournament they were invited to during the off season. After winning the trophy, the former Esperance coach stated that the priorities set were achieved. He also explained how good the people in Francistown were and praised their hospitality, expressing his love for the fans they met.
The reigning Premier Soccer League champions are in Botswana, where they took part in a tournament, as most of their players were not involved in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), starting December 21 to January 18 in Morocco. Masandawana showed their class, reaping their opponents apart as the technical team continues working on their tactics.
The Brazilians were in terrific form in the tournament, showcasing their class. They first swept past their semi-final opponents to storm into the final, setting the tone for a dominant tournament decider. Their opponents had narrowly edged TAFIC 1-0 to book a spot in the final, but were then humiliated by the Tshane giants in the final. Overall, Masandawana underlined their superiority throughout the tournament.
The 61-year-old coach has surprisingly failed to stay long in each of his last four jobs, a sharp contrast to the stability he enjoyed at SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly. He is currently unattached amid speculation rife about his next move. With Hugo Broos expected to step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the former Abha Club coach is already being linked with a possible return to Bafana Bafana as well as other teams.
With key players unavailable as they are focused on the Africa Cup of Nations, Ouaddou is expected to give playtime to other stars. In the team that has landed in Durban ahead of the showdown against All-Stars, there are a few players, including a teenager, who could be deployed. After winning the Carling Knockout, the Bucs might win another trophy on Saturday, although it is not an official cup.
The two were overlooked when Hugo Broos named his squad that will take part in the Africa Cup of Nations finals. Although key players were not available for Sundowns due to the AFCON preparations, and others were voted into the Carling All Stars squad, that did not matter much as they won convincingly to reach the charity final in Botswana. The Brazilians now wait for the other semi-final to conclude in order to know who their final opponents will be.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos announced his squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and as expected, there were prominent names missing from the Belgian's selection. One of the players whose omission triggered debate is the Wydad Casablanca attacker. He did not even appear in the preliminary squad and has, over a period of time, not been considered for national duty.
The 36-year-old midfielder made headlines when Chloorkop announced his arrival, as he had been a key player for the Soweto Giants, who were on the verge of clinching the league title. Unfortunately for Chiefs supporters, it was Masandawana who ultimately lifted the trophy at the final hour, with the former Chiefs midfielder part of the victorious team—a development that left a bitter taste for Amakhosi faithful.
In the last couple of months, 'Nyoso' has been trending after being overlooked by the South Africa technical bench despite his rich form in North Africa, where he is delivering for the Red Castle domestically and abroad. According to the 73-year-old Belgian coach, the former Buccaneers' attacker has nothing to bring in the team.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC
