The Tshwane giants have set the tone for the second leg after putting a healthy number of goals past their opponents at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday night, but the Malian outfit mentor remains confident that they can turn the tie around when they host the return fixture in Bamako.
The Brazilians delivered a masterclass on Friday evening in the Champions League clash against Stade Malien, leaving their opponents with no answers as Masandawana dominated proceedings in their own backyard. However, VAR stole the spotlight on the night, with Cardoso praising the technology for helping officials make the right decisions.
The veteran midfielder remains one player the South Africa national football team could need at the global football tournament if he rediscovers his authority in the middle of the park. Currently used sparingly by Masandawana, he has yet to reach the top form that made him a dominant force in midfield. That has created anticipation over whether he can rise again and reclaim the midfield-king status he once enjoyed.
The Sea Robbers return to action after a midweek victory that propelled them to the top of the Premier Soccer League table. The hard-fought win over Richards Bay ensured that the Buccaneers maintained a close gap with Mamelodi Sundowns, although an insignificant goal difference separates the two rivals. As Masandawana focus on the CAF Champions League, the Soweto giants are hunting for league points over the weekend.
The Masandawana defender has insisted that his omission from the Bafana squad in their past few camps is not a concern for him as he focuses on helping his club achieve its targets. The defender has developed into one of the most reliable figures in Miguel Cardoso’s set-up this season, battling back from an injury-hit spell to re-establish himself at the core of Sundowns’ defensive unit.
In perhaps the most predictable outburst, The Brazilians coach has lashed out at the way in which South Africa's domestic league is scheduling fixtures around continental matches. This comes only hours after the PSL announced that 'Downs would have to play Marumo Gallants on Tuesday, March 17 at Loftus Versfeld, in between their two legged quarter finals clash with Stade Malien.
The Brazilians would be hoping the knockouts of this continental competition will not be as difficult as the group stage, where they went for a four-match winless streak at some point. It is a fresh chapter of this season's campaign as they bid to improve on last term's run, where they ended up as the losing finalists.
After engaging in the Premier Soccer League game just days ago, Masandawana have regrouped and are fully focused on the CAF Champions League. The Tshwane giants needed a win in their last group match to reach the quarter-finals and now begin their campaign in the knockout phase. Given that they will host the continental rivals, Downs must make sure they take full advantage of home support.
The Brazilians have been balancing responsibilities between the Premier Soccer League title race and the CAF Champions League which gives Masandawana a much heavier schedule than their title rivals Orlando Pirates. Their coach has called on the league to give them more breathing space in the fixture schedule as they juggle both competitions but these pleas have been ignored by the PSL, which has clearly angered the Portuguese coach. And now, with the latest rescheduling announced he is not going to be happy at all.
Players from Masandawana dominated the South Africa national football team squad at the 2023 AFCON tournament, forming the backbone of coach Hugo Broos’ side. However, the most recent national team selections have seen stars from Orlando Pirates making up the majority of the squad. Still, the Brazilians’ players are gradually forcing their way back into the national team fold as they continue to impress at the club level.
The Brazilians were back to their dominant best in beating the Mswenko Boys in a PSL clash on Tuesday, despite resting several players ahead of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal on Friday. The regulation 2-0 win moved former Amakhosi winger and now vocal pundit Junior Khanye to declare the title race with the Buccaneers was as good as over before they even kicked a ball in their own mid-week league assignment against Richards Bay.
The Super Eagles and Bolton Wanderers icon has sparked debate by suggesting that Mzansi footballers are held back by a lack of ambition to ply their trade in the world's biggest leagues. The midfield maestro, who enjoyed a glittering 20-year career across Germany, Turkey, France, and England, suggested that the talent in the PSL often stays stagnant because players are unwilling to leave the comfort of their surroundings.
If you have ever doubted that 'Mshishi' is a special player then this video is for you. A simply superb collection of goals over the years on the continent's biggest stage, against the giants of African football.
After a dramatic build-up surrounding the rescheduling of this fixture due to the Pretoria side’s continental commitments, both teams will be eager to settle matters on the pitch on Tuesday evening with the Pretoria side looking to put pressure on title rivals Pirates who could fall three points behind ahead of their own mid-week match on Wednesday against Richards Bay.
The veteran midfielder has been out of the South Africa national football team for over a year. His experience was missed during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and could still be valuable as the team looks ahead to the global football tournament. However, he is yet to hit top form at Masandawana, with coach Miguel Cardoso carefully managing his minutes.
The 20-year-old started his third Major League Soccer match in a row and played well in keeping a clean sheet for his club. However, the centre back will have sleepless nights over a late chance that would have secured victory for his side.
The Downs tactician continues to attract criticism as the Tshwane giants chase two trophies at a time; they are seen as the pale shadows of their former selves. Already, there is pressure for him to succeed in both races, and it shows that even though he might defend the league title, a section of the club's supporters will not be fully satisfied. As the season moves fast towards the decisive homestretch, the former Esperance tactician finds himself in a difficult dilemma.
The Portuguese tactician has endured a tough campaign with the defending Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions both domestically and abroad. However, it seems the former Esperance coach has finally managed to turn his fortune around. The 53-year-old is hopeful of ending his first full season on a high.
The 23-year-old secured a move from Stellenbosch FC to Europe in September 2024 and has since established himself as a key member of his team. His impressive performances have now earned him a new contract, extending his stay at the club where he also shares the dressing room with a former Kaizer Chiefs captain.
Following a string of incidents in the mid-week fixtures various coaches have lashed out at the Premier Soccer League's officiating standards. With calls for VAR introduction reaching fever pitch, AmaZulu FC's Arthur Zwane has joined the growing chorus of dissatisfied tacticians clamouring for improvement.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa are fighting hard for points that will take them out of the danger zone. A never-surrender fighting spirit saw them mount a comeback after going down and eventually win, piling pressure on the equally struggling Chilli Boys.
As the Premier Soccer League title race intensifies, each point becomes precious, and none of the rivals at the top of the table would like to drop any. With Orlando Pirates also unrelenting in their own pursuit of the title, Downs must ensure they are as effective as possible in order to boost their chances of extending their dominance of the top tier to a ninth consecutive season.
There have been questions raised about some decisions made in the South African top tier, some of which have cost teams trophies as well as points. SAFA, alongside the Premier Soccer League management, has been working in conjunction with the government to improve the situation of football in the country.
The Sea Robbers will be back in action on Wednesday after a morale-boosting win over the Glamour Boys in the Soweto derby. Against Rise and Shine, Bucs will need more points in order to keep pace with Mamelodi Sundowns in the tight Premier Soccer League title race.
The Buccaneers will host the Natal Rich Boyz at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Wednesday. The KwaZulu-Natal side will come in high on confidence, having secured three points against Kaizer Chiefs in their last league match. However, for the Sea Robbers, every point is crucial at this stage, and they are laser-focused on the title race, while the visitors are striving to climb the standings and secure a coveted top-eight finish.
When the 20-year-old moved from Orlando Pirates to Chicago Fire, it triggered a massive upsurge on the Chicago club's social media, which saw 180,000 followers join in the first 48 hours. That figure has since grown to over half a million South African social media accounts now following the club, making up a quarter of their entire online audience.
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