In a bid to create space for probably more new signings, the Soweto giants have confirmed the permanent exit of the star. Signed after impressing in his former Premier Soccer League side, the 25-year-old found it hard to settle and become a key player for the MTN8 champions. Faced with stiff competition, he had limited involvement in the ongoing season, as the club is focused on winning more local trophies after the CAF Champions League elimination.
In a bid to return stronger and sharper for the second round of the Premier Soccer League campaign, Masandawana have added another arsenal to their striking department. After the departure of Lucas Ribeiro, there were fears Sundowns would struggle to get another equally capable goal-scoring machine, but the Brazilians could prove doubters wrong, given who they signed in the last transfer window. Even before the new signings fully settle, the league's defending champions are set to add another star from South America.
The 24-year-old is a natural centre-back who is also comfortable at right-back, but that versatility has ironically not counted in his favour in his bid to become a regular at Masandawana. Despite limited opportunities, he continues to be linked with a move away from Chloorkop amid growing speculation about his future. However, his representative has stepped in to clear the air and set the record straight on where the defender stands.
Things have rapidly deteriorated for the 22-year-old who was only in November 2023 crowned African Football League Most Valuable Player and finished as the tournament’s joint top scorer. He was part of Bafana Bafana’s squad at the 2023 AFCON and even started the opening match against Mali, underlining how highly he was rated at the time. However, injury struck, triggering a painful downhill slide that has stalled what once looked like a soaring career.
In a bid to end Simba's struggle, the experienced South African tactician has roped in figures he trusts will help him in the mission. After making his name with Stellenbosch, it is time to test himself in a different environment, which comes with pressure given the ambition of the Kariokor giants season in and season out.
It has been a memorable year in South African football, marked by plenty of excitement and several major achievements. Bafana Bafana qualified for both the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The junior national teams played in major international tournaments and flew the country’s flag high.
The Super Eagles showed their class with a near-perfect display against the East African nation on Tuesday night in the final pool outing to make three wins in a row. However, it was not a good outing for Paul Put's men, who were eliminated without tasting a win. They lost two games and drew once from the three fixtures.
The Buccaneers have made themselves favourites to win the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League title. They currently lead the standings, enjoying a two-point lead at the top with two points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. That could see Abdeslam Ouaddou's men breaking Sundowns' stranglehold on the PSL after winning eight straight titles.
The Brazilians have been dominating the South African top-flight for a decade, winning nine out of the possible 10 top-tier crowns, with a now-defunct Bidvest Wits the only team to have stopped them from achieving the feat. As a matter of fact, they have won the last eight crowns consecutively, but it seems the Soweto giants are determined to stop them.
The Buccaneers are revamping their squad as the PSL transfer window looms, with two players having left the club. The PSL log leaders are also set to bring in a new attacker to reinforce a squad bidding to complete a quadruple this season, after their MTN8 and Carling Knockout success. A rapid attacker was not short of admirers after becoming a free agent following his Bucs exit and GOAL has been exclusively been informed that he has signed a long-term deal at a PSL rival.
The Buccaneers went for this current international break leading the PSL table and relegating Sundowns to second place. The Soweto giants enjoy two points clear at the top, having played a game less than the Brazilians. That gives them a crucial edge ahead of the resumption of league action in January.
The Brazilians once again underline their ambition, moving decisively to strengthen their squad. The club’s relentless pursuit of excellence has become a hallmark of their identity, ensuring that each transfer window brings in players who can elevate both their immediate performance and long‑term standing in the Premier Soccer League and the continent.
The Brazilians are staring at the grim prospect of ending the season empty-handed unless they mount a turnaround of their fortunes. To avert that outcome, Masandawana might need to pull their socks up in the PSL title race while also raising their game in the CAF Champions League and the Nedbank Cup. The pressure has intensified after the Tshwane giants already missed out on the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout this season.
After a few seasons of the Soweto giants showing flashes of being a dangerous outfit only to fall short at crucial moments, the Sea Robbers have produced a commendable run of form, signaling their intent to go for everything in the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season. The Bucs have already lifted three trophies before the halfway mark of the campaign — the MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup, and Carling Black Label Cup — while also sitting top of the league table, underlining their growing authority and consistency.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The tactician has beaten a star-studded line-up of coaches and will now lead a yet-to-be-named All-Stars starting line-up. Although he is struggling at club level, the experienced tactician has a chance to win a trophy this season. However, he faces a tough test, given that the recently crowned Carling Knockout champions, Pirates, are his opponents.
Orbit College
