The Sea Robbers continue to celebrate their majority presence in the national team squad that is heading to Morocco. Out of the 25 players named for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, nine are from the Soweto giants, although Mbekezeli Mbokazi has signed for Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. Until recently, Masandawana dominated Bafana, but the Sea Robbers have displaced them as the majority contributor.
PSL's top three clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, are naturally monitoring the talented player's situation, having raided the Winelands side for stars over the years. The highly rated forward will see his contract expire at the end of the season, and this means he is free to sign a pre-contract with a club of his choice from January 1.
The January Transfer window is a couple of weeks ago, meaning the Premier Soccer League teams have already started identifying players to reinforce their respective squads ahead of the second half of the campaign. Usuthu and the Mswenko Boys are among the South African top-tier outfits expected to strengthen.
Amakhosi have another chance to close in on Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the league standings. After being held to a goalless draw by Chippa United, the Glamour Boys will be looking to return to winning ways. Chiefs are on a three-match winless run across competitions, given their last victory came against Orbit College in early November.
The Botswana Premier League is steadily emerging as an attractive destination for South African coaches and players seeking new opportunities. This could reflect how football in that country is growing. A clear sign of this progress is the Botswana national team, which has qualified for AFCON and is guided by South African coach Morena Ramoreboli. Now, a big-name coach in South African football is linked with a club in the Southern African nation.
Sundowns’ shot-stopper has faced heavy criticism after failing to clear a threatening attack that resulted in the Pretoria side settling for a single point in a 1-1 draw against the Bloemfontein outfit. The costly moment saw the Brazilians heading into the Premier Soccer League mid-break in second place on the log table, leaving them in an unfamiliar predicament.
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 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.
After a gruelling start to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign, Amakhosi return to undertake their Premier Soccer League duties. At the top of their agenda is to win both games before the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) break in order to keep their winning run in the league going. Should the Glamour Boys manage to collect maximum points from the two games ahead, they will go level with Orlando Pirates point-wise.
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.
Another PSL club has shaken up their technical team, resulting in the dismissal of a seasoned tactician. The coach, a highly respected figure in South African football, finds himself out of a job before the campaign even reaches its halfway stage. His exit underscores the mounting pressure on teams to produce results in an increasingly unforgiving environment.
The Maroons picked up a crucial point on the road against the Tanzanian outfit, with the match ending 1–1 as they continue to assert their recognisable presence on the continental stage. However, Stellies were left frustrated on Sunday after the draw — a result that coach Steve Barker believes could have been very different with fairer officiating.
In a high-octane Premier Soccer League at Olympia Park Stadium, fans were not only treated to drama but also to a classic football match as Stellenbosch grabbed a 2-1 win over Orbit College. Monnapule Saleng registered his third assist of the season, although his side was stunned by the opponent's late comeback.
The Mswenko Boys are set for a stern Stellies test in their midweek Premier Soccer League assignment, hoping to capitalise on Steve Barker’s men’s poor form as they push to climb the table. The Western Cape outfit has struggled this season, which explains why they are far from guaranteed a positive result.
The Maroons travel to Olympia Park Stadium on Wednesday evening in high spirits after their 1–0 victory in the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage campaign. They now turn their attention to the resilient Mswenko Boys, aiming to secure crucial points in their push to climb the Premier Soccer League log. Still battling to escape the relegation zone, the Western Cape team sits on nine points in 15th place, while their opponents hold a four-point advantage above them.
The forward struggled while in Germany but has found his footing since he made the unexpected move after several stints abroad. He is not only a regular starter under Miguel Cardoso but also plays a critical role as a creative brain in the club's attacking adventures. Now, he has been tipped as the next big thing for Bafana Bafana, given the progress he has made.
The Western Cape side pulled out all the tricks in the book when they took their Congolese opponents, AS Otohô to Polokwane due to stadium unavailability in the Mother City. The move ultimately worked in Stellies’ favour, as they walked away with maximum points at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, securing a one-nil victory in the dying minutes. It was the perfect start to their continental campaign, especially after falling short in the semi-finals of the previous competition.
Last season’s CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists, Stellies, launched their group stage journey at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday, 23 November. The Cape Winelands outfit, who thrilled fans with a deep run in the previous campaign, fell short in the last four against Tanzania’s Simba SC but now return determined to go further.
All of the Premier Soccer League's Big Three won in Round 12 of the season, with the two Soweto clubs putting in statement wins that will have the Chloorkop faithful starting to worry about their ninth league title in a row. There were standout performers in those matches and across the other mid-week fixtures in the final domestic league games before the international break.
The Soweto giants proved on Wednesday that they mean business with another impressive display at the King Zwelithini Stadium against Abafana Bes'thende. It was a massive result that ensured they stay just three points behind the defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played two more games.
A former Kaizer Chiefs head coach masterminded a slim win for his side courtesy of a goal struck by an ex-Mamelodi Sundowns star. It was also good news for the Bucs' legend, whose side registered a win and a clean sheet against their rivals. For Barker, the loss will leave him in a more precarious situation, even though he has guided the Maroons to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
Amakhosi dazzled under the FNB Stadium lights on Tuesday evening, delivering a 4-1 masterclass against top-flight newcomers, the Mswenko Boys. The emphatic win thrilled home fans and catapulted the Glamour Boys to second on the Premier Soccer League table, sitting joint-top with leaders and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns on 22 points apiece.
With several new signings still to be properly integrated with the squad, the veteran midfielder has called on the club's supporters to be patient and believes it is only a matter of time until The Brazilians hit the levels they know they are capable of.
The Glamour Boys were in devastating form as they claimed a huge win against the Mswenko Boys in their Premier Soccer League assignment staged at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night. It was a third consecutive victory for the Soweto giants across all competitions after an initial five-match struggle domestically that saw them record no victories.
Amakhosi recorded their biggest win this season as they outclassed PSL debutants who enjoyed the services of Orlando Pirates' loanee Monnapule Saleng. The win propelled the Glamour Boys to the second position with the same points as Mamelodi Sundowns and three more than arch-rivals Bucs. The victory brought back memories of how Chiefs started the season before they started struggling amid uncertainty around Nasreddine Nabi's future.
Fresh off weekend wins, both teams arrived at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night brimming with confidence. Amakhosi edged Durban City 1-0 away last Friday, while the Umswenko Boys beat Magesi 3-1 on Saturday. With momentum building, both sides were locked in on one goal: bagging maximum points under the midweek lights.
Orbit College
