Orlando Pirates news

Players from Amakhosi have found it increasingly difficult to break into the national team setup in recent years. Not a single player from the Soweto giants featured in the South Africa squad for the last two AFCON editions, underlining the widening gap between the club and their PSL rivals, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who dominate Hugo Broos' side. That absence has raised concerns that performance standards at Amakhosi may have dipped compared to previous eras.

The South African tactician made an emotional return to the country to face his former side, a club that gave him a platform to become a top coach and a team he won a number of titles with. His mission to South Africa was a high-stakes encounter against Masandawana in search of at least a draw that was enough to send his team to the knockout phase. However, his former side was too strong for the Algerian outfit, who eventually crashed out of the continental competition.

The tension surrounding the much-anticipated clash escalated on match day, with further drama on the touchline. While the Tshwane giants progressed in their CAF Champions League campaign, both technical teams were involved in a heated confrontation that drew attention from officials.

The Glamour Boys came into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia just needing a draw to progress. They fell 2-1 to Zamalek and exited the CAF Confederation Cup at the group stage. Now, as the dust settles, fans have taken to social media to vent their feelings over the result and Amakhosi's performance.

The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress but succumbed 2-1 to the White Knight and were eliminated from the competition. It was a result that did not sit well with Brian Baloyi who lashed out at the club's management.

The Moroccan mentor has repeatedly expressed concerns over his players’ finishing struggles in recent weeks. Even while winning their matches with convincing scorelines, Ouaddou’s warning-based statistics remain evident. Once again, the team failed to show real improvement, leaving the coach’s frustrations unaddressed.

The Portuguese coach went into Saturday’s match with mounting pressure, staring at the embarrassing possibility of failing to steer the Brazilians into the tournament’s knockout rounds. However, Madsandawana rose to the occasion with a crucial victory that kept their campaign alive. The result allowed their tactician to breathe a huge sigh of relief as the immediate threat to his position appeared to have eased.

The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress. For the White Knight, the only option was to secure maximum points to be sure of advancing as pool winners regardless of the outcome between Al Masry and ZESCO United.

The Buccaneers opened a six-point gap at the summit of the Premier Soccer League standings after a 3-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. It was another productive outing for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side, who continue to build momentum in the title race. The Soweto giants are now 14 matches unbeaten across all competitions, with their last defeat dating back to October 2025.

It was a game of intense tension for both teams and their supporters, since neither could afford defeat in their bid to make the knockout phase. The Brazilians needed maximum points to make the last eight, while the People's Club could afford a draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium thanks to the recent results in Group C.

The 20-year-old sealed an overseas deal less than a year after making his first appearance for the Buccaneers’ senior side. His swift progression underlines a meteoric rise that few would have predicted when he broke into the Soweto giants' first team in March 2025. The transfer is widely expected to open the doors to even more competitive leagues in Europe.

The battle for the number one spot continues to heat up, with the Soweto side holding the advantage while Masandawana juggle their CAF Champions League commitments. The man who once starred for the Bucs has shared insights into what sets this season apart for the Mayfair side, explaining why his former team could be strong contenders to clinch the PSL title.

As Amakhosi players chase titles on the pitch, their supporters have been reminded of their cardinal role and warned against following what others do. The Bafana Bafana legend has explained why the fans should not be so negative against the players and said the fans need to be responsible.