The goalkeeping position in the national team will be up for grabs in the next couple of years. Top custodians in South Africa are now hoping to take over from the legendary Mamelodi Sundowns star, who has been consistent for Mzansi. The Belgian tactician has further explained the reasons for snubbing Amakhosi's shot-stopper.
The Glamour Boys centre-back has broken his silence on the club's revised ambitions as the Premier Soccer League title race begins to disappear into the distance. Following a testing period in Naturena, the 22-year-old has revealed the necessity of giving something an exciting target to cling to.
The Soweto giants' faithful are frustrated owing to the recent disappointing results posted by their team, and the reality that Amakhosi will end the campaign trophyless. The scenario has been almost the same at Old Trafford, where the Red Devils have not been at their best, prompting regular changes in the technical team.
The Soweto giants have been struggling to get it right this season, despite a blistering start across all competitions. Currently, they are at risk of missing out on competing with the best on the continent in the CAF inter-club tournament. One of the influential players has been urged to improve his game or face the axe.
Both Abafana Bes'thende and Stellies came into the match hoping to collect a positive result in their bid to qualify for the 2026/27 MTN8. Interestingly, before the game, it was just goal difference that separated the two sides, having managed to collect 24 points each from the 20 games they had played.
The South African top tier is growing every day, which has attracted investors and quality players at large. The technical teams in clubs are also giving their best to the playing unit in a bid to outshine their colleagues. This explains the stiff competition we have seen in the ongoing campaign, especially at the top of the table.
The Soweto giants are hoping to collect maximum points in the remaining 11 games in the South African top-flight football to stand a chance of playing international matches. They will be in action this weekend, away at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, to play Dikwena Tsa Meetse. Victory will bring them closer to their target.
The 27-year-old custodian has been in South Africa since February 2021, initially turning out for JDR Stars as he began his journey in the country. He has since featured at AFCON with his national team, significantly raising his profile on the continental stage. However, despite that pedigree, he is yet to play top-flight league football in South Africa, an opportunity his growing status appears to demand.
South African football fans will have to wait at least another 12 months before Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology is officially introduced to the domestic game. Despite the government fulfilling its promise to provide the necessary funding, high-ranking officials have urged patience as the technical rollout begins.
The playmaker has had limited involvement for the Soweto giants in recent games. Even though he did not start against Durban City, the Bafana Bafana star came on as a second substitute and played a crucial role in Amakhosi's victory. Now, a question has been asked why the attacking midfielder has been dropped from the starting XI in recent games.
Amakhosi's co-coach has challenged his squad to block out the mounting external pressure and focus on technical improvements to salvage their season. Following a string of disappointing results and early cup exits, the Burundian tactician insists that only tangible on-field changes will satisfy the frustrated Amakhosi faithful.
After a promising but not entirely convincing start to the season, the Soweto giants have since slipped to worrying lows in the Premier Soccer League. Their dip in form has dragged them into an uncomfortable fifth position on the table, leaving them facing the real danger of missing out on continental football and even a spot in the MTN8 next season.
The Glamour Boys will definitely go for an experienced tactician to help them achieve their ambition, owing to the struggles they have experienced following the exit of Nasreddine Nabi. The interim tacticians have, on several occasions, failed to help the club win seemingly easier matches. However, a veteran tactician believes he is the solution at Naturena Village.
The custodian was in impressive form as he helped his Premier Soccer League team frustrate the Sea Robbers. With match-winning saves, the Bafana keeper was the star of the game as he forced Bucs to drop crucial points. Although he was a standout player, he has been cautioned not to think he will get an automatic ticket to the global bonanza that will take place mid-year.
As Amakhosi stare at a possible trophyless season, questions continue to be asked about whether the current coaches are the right men to handle the club. The Glamour Boys failed to defend the Nedbank Cup, were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup and the Carling Knockout, and the Premier Soccer League title appears a far-fetched dream.
The Soweto giants have been walking on a rough and uncomfortable path in the last couple of weeks across all competitions. Prior to the Sunday game, in which they beat Durban City by a solitary goal, Amakhosi had fallen in four consecutive games across all competitions. They are now hoping to finish in the top three and at least qualify for the CAF inter-club competition.
The Amakhosi fraternity finally breathed a sigh of relief after their team returned to winning ways. After a four-match winless run across all competitions, the players and the coaching staff found themselves under an incredible amount of pressure. Although the Glamour Boys beat Durban City with a solitary goal, there is a general feeling that the win will inspire the Soweto giants to more victories.
The hard-fought victory over the Citizen's has improved the mood around Naturena and snapped a four game losing streak across all competitions. With three points in the bag Lucky Baloyi believes this should be a springboard for Amakhosi to push for a top three finish.
After a four-match losing streak, Amakhosi finally got a win on the board with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Citizens. Afterwards, their Burundian co-coach was cautiously optimistic that his side had turned the corner and will be able to push on to challenge for a top three position and qualify for CAF competition next season.
After a four-match losing streak, Amakhosi needed a positive result not only to boost their morale but also to please their restless fan base. Although the result gave them three points, the Glamour Boys remain far behind the leading sides in the Premier Soccer League title race. A win is also a welcome outcome for both Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, who have been under pressure.
Referees play a critical role in any football competition but a long line of controversial decisions in South African football are undermining the integrity of the officials. Virtually all of the PSL's coaches have pointed out various refereeing mistakes during the season but, as the 33-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns player points out, the officals who make these mistakes rarely, if ever, are punished for their errors.
A run of four defeats in a row has seen an enormous amount of pressure heaped on Amakhosi's management, coaches and players. But the young winger is adamant that all the external noise from media, pundits and fans will not distract from the team's focus on turning their form around
The Burundian and his partner have been subjected to intense pressure following a wanting performance by the club on the pitch. The fans have made their voice heard, and one of the demands they want is the two to be shown the door. However, the tactician has asked for patience, reminding the supporters where they have come from and what they are likely to achieve.
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.
As Amakhosi struggle to get back to winning ways, the fans are frustrated seeing their team spiralling downwards. Some supporters even staged a protest at Naturena as they petitioned the club officials to take action. However, the club has formally responded, calling out some fans who they said were disorderly during the demonstration.
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.
Orbit College
