Kruger United have already been crowned National First Division champions but the race for the two play off places has Milford, Cape Town City, Hungry Lions and Casric Stars all focused on gaining maximum points in their last games to earn the right for one last shot at promotion.
The bid to succeed Kaizer Chiefs as champions of this season’s top knockout competition will be contested between the Rockets and the Citizens. This follows the conclusion of the tournament’s last-four stage, which has now set up a decisive showdown. With the semi-finals settled, the stage is now firmly set for one of the two sides to be crowned the new Ke Yona champions.
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit remains on course to win their first major trophy after reaching the final of South Africa's biggest knockout competition. They now wait for the winner between TS Galaxy and Milford FC, who clash in another semi-final match.
The Rockets have experienced a season of sharp contrasts, swinging between impressive highs and disappointing lows. From stunningly knocking the Brazilians out of the top domestic competition to suffering a humiliating Premier Soccer League defeat at the hands of the Buccaneers, their campaign has been anything but predictable. As a result, opponents often struggle to know what version of the Rockets they will face.
The respected football stakeholder in South Africa insists that some club owners are so much into their teams that they want to dictate some critical aspects. The tactician argues that a section of coaches have no free hand in determining who should be fielded because the managements have their interest.
The Premier Soccer League clubs strengthened in the short January transfer window in their bid to realise their set objectives. While some players have settled and delivered for their respective teams, others have struggled to make an impact at their clubs.
The Sea Robbers have been consistent for the most part of the season domestically, where they have already won the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout. They are now chasing the South African top-flight crown a couple of months after a heartbreaking elimination from the Nedbank Cup by surprise package Casric Stars.
The Mpumalanga side overpowered their visitors from the Northern Cape to become the first top-flight league side into the semi-finals, joining Casric Stars and Milford FC in the last four. Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal derby between Golden Arrows and Durban City will determine who takes up one spot left to claim.
The Mpumalanga side overpowered Spears to become the first Goliath into the semi-finals, joining Casric and Milford in the last four. Meanwhile, tension is building ahead of the KwaZulu-Natal derby, with just one spot left to claim.
The final four teams are officially confirmed as City secured a hard-fought penalty shootout victory over Abafana Bes'thende to join the Rockets, as well as lower-division sides Casric Stars and Milford FC in the last-four.
The domestic competition is set to have a new winner after the defending champions, Kaizer Chiefs, were eliminated. The Round of 16 matches concluded on Sunday with more teams booking their places in the quarter-final. Babina Noko, who are also mathematically in the Premier Soccer League title race, progressed in this knockout competition.
The Glamour Boys, who were the defending champions, just couldn't get past Stellenbosch in the initial hurdle after falling 2-1 a couple of days ago. However, big guns like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates - who are chasing a treble- are still in the annual tournament, hoping to go all the way.
Teams in the Premier Soccer League are chasing the CAF Confederation Cup ticket for the 2026/27 edition by virtue of winning the annual competition. It is promising to be a competitive assignment as top dogs are also hoping to win the cash prize as well as the glory associated with the competition. In the last three editions, the tournament has been won by the Soweto giants.
Milford FC
