The Soweto giants square off against Bahlabane ba Ntwa in the Carling Knockout final at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, aiming to end the season on a high after also being guaranteed to end the year as Premier Soccer League leaders. Having already lifted the MTN8 in October, the Buccaneers are chasing a second major trophy this term as they seek to continue as domestic football's Cup Kings.
The 20-year-old centre-back is on his way to North America despite widespread expectations that he would secure a move to Europe. His move has raised questions about how it could influence his international prospects as Bafana Bafana prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Looking at the bigger picture, he will be hoping the move does not jeopardise his chances of making Hugo Broos’ final squad for the global football competition.
The Chloorkop outfit missed out on an opportunity to return to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings on Wednesday night, coming from behind only to settle for a 1-1 draw against Siwelele FC at the Dr. Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, leaving the Buccaneers well-positioned to close out the first half of the 2025/26 league campaign with a significant advantage.
The Sea Robbers are gearing up for an impactful finish to the first half of the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League campaign, with another piece of silverware on the line. Pirates are set to lock horns with Bahlabane Ba Ntwa in the Knockout Cup finale, taking center stage at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The majority of the teams are working hard to realise their objectives, with the Premier Soccer League table taking shape ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break scheduled from late December to mid-January next year. One of the sides that have been doing well are Babina Noko, who are surprising many with their run in the league.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions knew they had no option but to beat their hosts to replace Orlando Pirates, who are not in action as they are preparing for the Carling Knockout final against Marumo Gallants on Saturday. The Brazilians hope to win their ninth South African top-flight football title in a row.
Five months into his tenure at the Bloemfontein outfit, Alexandre Lafitte has already driven the side to a major cup final. On Saturday, 6 December, the stage shifts to Polokwane where they clash with the mighty Buccaneers in the Carling Knockout Cup showdown - a battle for silverware and a shot at history.
The Buccaneers coach has applauded his players for dominating the South Africa final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The Soweto giants have provided nine players to Hugo Broos' 25-member selection that will head to the continental competition. This sees The Ghost taking over from the Brazilians who used to dominate the national side at the last edition.
The Bafana defender has signed with the Major League Soccer side, and the confirmation of his move came just days before a second cup final for Pirates this season. The 20-year-old centre-back was a pivotal player in Bucs' campaign, and appearing in the final should be a befitting goodbye for his efforts. As the Sea Robbers hunt for another trophy, only Gallants stand between them and the cup glory.
The towering centre forward stamped his authority in a nationwide tournament. The Urban Warriors product has given a glimpse of what he could offer the Tshwane giants. Meanwhile, Bucs are close to reinforcing their squad with the signing of a talented defender after losing Mbokazi.
The Buccaneers continue to produce a high number of quality players through their developmental structures. While some of these youngsters have successfully broken into the first team, several others have been sent out on loan to gain valuable experience. However, one of their players has now left the club.
The former Bucs coach is in South Africa as a brand advocate for Carling Black Label, the sponsors of the Carling Knockout Cup, and shared his thoughts on the impact the Belgian tactician has had on the national team.
A huge chunk of players that will represent Mzansi in the continental showpiece come from the Soweto giants. But before the players leave for AFCON, they have a crucial duty for the club. A date with destiny awaits them as they will face Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup final.
The Denmark-based player continues to be overlooked by South Africa coach Hugo Broos despite his consistent performances overseas. Even when the 27-year-old wing-back hits top form for his club, the 2017 AFCON-winning trainer shows little trust in including him in his plans. It has become increasingly clear that Broos does not hold him in high regard, leaving many to question what more the player must do to earn a call-up.
After days of intense speculation, the defender's move has now been announced by his new side. The Mzansi star, who has been an impressive figure for both the Premier Soccer League giants and the national team, becomes the second youngest gem to leave the Soweto giants after Mohau Nkota. The Major League Soccer side has also revealed the contract details of the defender.
The retired Sea Robber has stated he keeps tabs on the club's development and is happy with how the Soweto giants are doing. The Bucs legend has also said he is thankful to the club for how it has helped him live a decent life, and were it not for them, his life would have been worse. Among the players he fondly follows is Mofokeng, a promising forward within the club's ranks.
After back-to-back CAF Confederation Cup games, Amakhosi return to domestic assignments as a Premier Soccer League game awaits them on Wednesday. Should the Glamour Boys win their two games before the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals break, they will be level with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at the top of the PSL table. The Sea Robbers overtook Mamelodi Sundowns after beating Durban City.
The KwaZulu-Natal club has made a major decision on their coach just before Premier Soccer League teams go for the AFCON break. It comes as no surprise that they dismissed the former Amakhosi tactician, especially after reports indicated that his departure was imminent. He joins a list of this season's casualties, Luc Eymael and Sinethemba Badela were also shown the exit door by Chippa United.
When Broos named his final squad for the AFCON finals, there was not much surprise because he maintained the core players who have always dominated his teams. Amakhosi stars were once again snubbed, although Mduduzi Shabalala was named among the reserve players. In recent times, Orlando Pirates have been contributing a huge chunk of players to the national side, a privilege enjoyed by Mamelodi Sundowns before.
After a long wait, the Belgian has now named the players he will take to Morocco in the hunt for yet another continental trophy for South Africa. As usual, his selection has divided opinion as fans and pundits debate who should be in the squad and who should not be. The former Cameroon head coach has now explained why he selected two skillful attackers.
The Bucs vice-captain has been one of the standout performers in the Premier Soccer League, firmly cementing his place in the Buccaneers’ camp while also making waves in the Bafana Bafana setup as a reliable centre-back. His performances have spoken for themselves, and it comes as no surprise that he is now heavily linked with a move to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
The Buccaneers are desperate to end their lengthy Premier Soccer League [PSL] title drought, and this season, it appears they have a golden opportunity. The Soweto giants are currently in the driver’s seat as far as the title race is concerned, and they have it all in their hands to ensure they finish at the top.
It was another day for a former Pirates star to play a crucial role in helping Gallants collect a point, and his display earned him Man of the Match recognition. Meanwhile, the draw means Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have extended their winless run to five games in regulation time. PSL is expected to run for weeks before it goes on a break to allow selected players to join their national teams for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
The Buccaneers, three points clear of Masandawana at the summit, stretched their unbeaten league run to 10 matches with a decisive 2‑0 victory over Durban City. The clash, played on Saturday, 29 November, marked their final Premiership outing of 2025, sending Pirates into the Africa Cup of Nations break firmly in contention for the title.
The Buccaneers are threatening what had become the order of the league as Masandawana dominated season in, season out. The Brazilians' record-extending Premier Soccer League titles could be stopped by the Soweto giants who have presented their title credentials as determined contenders. Making the Ghost favourites to be crowned champions is how they have reached this stage of the season without allowing the Tshwane giants to pull away on the standings. They are currently on a 10-match unbeaten run in the league, a bold statement about their seriousness of the biggest trophy in South African football.
The Buccaneers are riding high after climbing to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings, three points clear of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Their rise was sealed from a decisive 2‑0 victory over Durban City at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 29 November, a result that confirmed Pirates’ place at the summit.
Marumo Gallants
