Orlando Pirates news

The former Bafana Bafana star was a high performer for two of South Africa’s traditional giants and also made his mark in Europe with Belgian side KV Oostende. His consistency and influence in midfield earned him recognition, and he has now made a major confirmation about his career.

Both sides head into this showdown riding a wave of confidence after heading into the FIFA international break on the back of strong results. The Soweto outfit has finally found the 'killer instinct' coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been demanding, firing on all cylinders with a ruthless six-goal haul in a single outing. Meanwhile, Abafana Bes’thende have firmly planted themselves in the top eight and will be eager to keep their grip as the pressure mounts. With the season entering its business end, expect this clash to be a high-tempo battle as both teams push for their season targets.

After a huge win over TS Galaxy, Orlando Pirates return to Premier Soccer League action. A win over Abafana Bes'thende will help the Sea Robbers go back to the top of the table. This is a game that the Soweto giants will not afford to lose, as they need points that will firmly keep them in the title race.

With coach Abdeslam Ouaddou looking to assemble a trusted core to sustain the Bucs’ strong Premier Soccer League challenge going forward, age could play a significant role, with greater emphasis likely to be placed on younger players to build for the future. Meanwhile, for the 36-year-old midfielder, whose contract is reportedly set to expire soon, his future may be uncertain. However, Edelbert Dinha believes Makhaula still has plenty to offer.

The 21-year-old attacker made a triumphant return to the Faris Ad-Dahna starting line-up on Sunday, playing a pivotal role in his side’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over their rivals. The South African winger had been out of the first-team picture since late February but proved he remains a vital asset for the Saudi club despite rumours of a move to European football swirling.

'Nyoso', as he is commonly referred to, played a crucial role in helping his team advance to the quarter-final of the Libyan Cup on Sunday afternoon at the Misrata Stadium as his team secured a 4-1 victory. It was another impressive outing for the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker, who has been excellent since his move to North Africa.

After back-to-back victories, Amakhosi return to action on Monday hoping to get one more win. This will be their first engagement after the international break, and their fans hope the players are in good form to continue with the good run. With the PSL debutants struggling, it might be another perfect chance for the Soweto giants to collect more points.

The South Africa national team coach is already shaping the final squad he plans to take to the global football showpiece. After a few surprise selections during the recent FIFA international break, more shocking decisions could still be on the way as he finalises his squad.

The 20-year-old was part of a resolute defensive display as The Fire, fuelled by a record-breaking start at Soldier Field, put in a resolute defensive display to protect their 1-0 lead to the final whistle. Afterwards, Mbokazi was singled out by both the coach and his goalkeeper for his efforts after only returning to the United States late on Friday after international duty with Bafana Bafana.

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 Polokwane City star has been on an impressive rise, and his consistent performances at club level have earned him recognition and regular call-ups to the national side. However, a former Amakhosi star has questioned why the defender continues to receive limited playing minutes in international matches despite his growing influence.

The Masandawana star is at the sunset of his career, while the Bucs' forward has just begun his career. There has been a raging debate on who will eventually succeed Mshishi given how the experienced playmaker has been influential, especially for his club. President Yama 2000 has shown signs he is ready to step up, but is the debate on who is better coming at the right time?

Football lovers in the country will have a rare opportunity to cheer for their own in the forthcoming global competition to be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. This is the first time in nearly a quarter-century that the National Team qualified for the prestigious tournament. They are in Group A alongside Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Korea.