Bahlabane ba Ntwa have announced the immediate suspension of their head coach. The decision comes in the wake of a catastrophic slump in form that has seen the club suffer seven consecutive defeats across all competitions, leaving their top-flight status hanging by a thread as they slide into a desperate relegation scrap.
The 24-year-old playmaker, who had become a peripheral figure at Chloorkop due to a loss of form and whispered concerns regarding his discipline off the pitch, made a triumphant return to the spotlight on Sunday with a Man of the Match display.
Premier Soccer League action continued this weekend as the campaign rolled into matchday 19, with teams jostling for crucial points in the race for honours and survival. While the Soweto Derby featuring Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates understandably hogged the limelight, other teams were also in action, quietly shaping the standings and adding fresh twists to an increasingly competitive season.
The 20-year-old started his first home match of the season and played well in securing a clean sheet for his club despite playing for 40 minutes with 10 men after a VAR review led to a red card for left back Jonathan Dean.
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit is fast carving out a reputation of constantly chopping and changing technical team members, with stability proving hard to find at the club this season. Just as continuity seemed within reach, their German technical director has departed once again, marking his second exit this season. The revolving door continues to raise questions about the club's long-term planning and direction.
The 20-year-old started his first competitive match for his new club, but it did not go as planned. Despite taking the lead in the first half through Hugo Cuypers, Chicago succumbed to two second half goals to slump to their first defeat of the Eastern Conference season. Puso Dithejane also made his debut when he replaced his fellow countryman in the 88th minute.
South African football fans will be focusing on an exciting Premier Soccer League outing between log leaders Buccaneers who will be hosting the defending champions at FNB Stadium. A win for Abdeslam Ouaddou's side will extend the gap between the two teams to nine points. Currently, the Soweto giants have a six-point advantage over second-placed Masandawana.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have, for the first time, responded after initial reports indicated that their top-flight slot was in danger after Dube Birds moved to court in an attempt to cancel the sale. The Soweto-based outfit wants the agreement to be terminated legally by the courts. If the sale deal is cancelled, Swallows will get their PSL status back, and Gallants will lose all the rights.
The Citizens' Under-21s are running the rule over the KwaZulu-Natal youngster after Pep Guardiola's assistant was shown video footage of Khulekani Nxumalo in action in the Durban Central Premier League.
After engaging in the Nedbank Cup campaign, teams turned their focus to the Premier Soccer League campaign. Orlando Pirates widened the gap at the top with a win over Marumo Gallants, while Babina Noko's result affected Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns, who were focused on their respective CAF campaigns. At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is heating up.
Over the years, the buying and selling of club statuses has often been viewed as disruptive to the South African league, whether through a decline in competitiveness or bitter disputes that follow. Lately, the Dube Birds and Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have taken centre stage in the latest chapter of that ongoing debate.
The Glamour Boys came into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia just needing a draw to progress. They fell 2-1 to Zamalek and exited the CAF Confederation Cup at the group stage. Now, as the dust settles, fans have taken to social media to vent their feelings over the result and Amakhosi's performance.
The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress but succumbed 2-1 to the White Knight and were eliminated from the competition. It was a result that did not sit well with Brian Baloyi who lashed out at the club's management.
The Moroccan mentor has repeatedly expressed concerns over his players’ finishing struggles in recent weeks. Even while winning their matches with convincing scorelines, Ouaddou’s warning-based statistics remain evident. Once again, the team failed to show real improvement, leaving the coach’s frustrations unaddressed.
The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress. For the White Knight, the only option was to secure maximum points to be sure of advancing as pool winners regardless of the outcome between Al Masry and ZESCO United.
The Buccaneers opened a six-point gap at the summit of the Premier Soccer League standings after a 3-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. It was another productive outing for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side, who continue to build momentum in the title race. The Soweto giants are now 14 matches unbeaten across all competitions, with their last defeat dating back to October 2025.
The 20-year-old sealed an overseas deal less than a year after making his first appearance for the Buccaneers’ senior side. His swift progression underlines a meteoric rise that few would have predicted when he broke into the Soweto giants' first team in March 2025. The transfer is widely expected to open the doors to even more competitive leagues in Europe.
The battle for the number one spot continues to heat up, with the Soweto side holding the advantage while Masandawana juggle their CAF Champions League commitments. The man who once starred for the Bucs has shared insights into what sets this season apart for the Mayfair side, explaining why his former team could be strong contenders to clinch the PSL title.
The South African legend recently unveiled his autobiography, documenting his adventure in football and how it helped him get out of poverty. Among those who contributed is the Benfica coach, who worked with the retired striker 22 years ago and conquered Europe together. The Harambee Stars coach has since explained what that gesture means to him.
The Buccaneers are set for yet another top-flight test as Bahlabane Ba Ntwa visit. The league leaders enjoy a 13-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, and this is a testament to how solid they have become since they last lost a game. Indeed, their last defeat came in the CAF Champions League when Saint-Eloi Lupopo eliminated them in a post-match penalty shootout contest in October 2025.
The Premier Soccer League momentum is in full swing, and the Sea Robbers lead the standings after 15 games. With Mamelodi Sundowns not far behind – only three points separate them - the Soweto giants would not want to drop points at this juncture of the season. After coming so close over the last seasons, the Buccaneers believe this is the time for them to end Masandawana's dominance in the top flight.
The 20-year-old surprised everyone when his move to MLS was announced in December 2025 shortly before the 2025 Carling Knockout Cup final where he captained his side to victory against Marumo Gallants. In a year in which he had broken into the Bucs first team and Hugo Broos Bafana Bafana set up as a teenager, it was expected that a European football would be his next destination.
For the second successive match in this competition, the Buccaneers have been drawn against lower-division opposition. They are aiming to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2024 before being dethroned by Kaizer Chiefs last season. The Sea Robbers have been cautioned against the opponents they will be coming up against.
Although it is a matter of months before the next transfer window opens, the Buccaneers' scouting department is not resting. According to reports, the Sea Robbers have already identified a defender they would like to bring on board. In the last off-season window, they signed over 10 players and added more in January.
The 30-year-old Buccaneers defender is yet to feature in a competitive match for the Soweto giants this season. He last played a competitive game in May 2025, and as he worked his way to try and make himself a regular this term, tragedy struck, and he found himself on the sidelines battling to regain full fitness.
The renewal of the long-standing deal signifies mutual trust between the two parties and a willingness to continue working together. According to the Soweto giants, the deal has been renewed following wide consultations, and they are hopeful it will help them grow as a brand on the global stage. The development comes at a time when the Sea Robbers are chasing two more titles this season after already winning two.
Marumo Gallants
