After elimination from both the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup, Amakhosi's focus is solely on the Premier Soccer League. Now they are set to resume league duties with a match against Stellies, who are in dire need of points to avoid a possible relegation dogfight. On the other hand, the Glamour Boys must win to keep their league title hopes alive.
The former Marumo Gallants tactician has been adamant that he will rotate his squad to give everyone a fighting chance. The philosophy is understood to have been necessitated by the number of quality players at the club. The Sea Robbers also contested in multiple competitions, and that meant some players had to be rested to avoid fatigue.
The two Premier Soccer League rivals are set for another interesting meeting in the South African footballing scene. The recent meeting ended with the Glamour Boys getting eliminated from the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 at the DHL Stadium. The former Amakhosi tactician shares the latest on his team ahead of the forthcoming fixture.
Although all eyes are focused on the tight Premier Soccer League title race, the derby, as usual, is set to steal the limelight in the meantime. Both the Glamour Boys and Bucs head into the highly anticipated encounter nursing season injuries; while the former were knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup, the Sea Robbers lost momentum in the league title race after a loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.
The competition at the Sea Robbers is stiff as players continue to push for regular playing time, especially in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). After getting knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by minnows Casric Stars in the Round of 16, the Soweto giants will now solely focus on the South African top tier.
The Buccaneers coach is refusing to hit the panic button ahead of Saturday's crucial Betway Premiership derby against Amakhosi, insisting his side can still win the Betway Premiership title despite a brutal week of defeats that saw them crash out of the Nedbank Cup and cede ground to league title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.
The New Zealander is now with the Buccaneers, determined to nail down a regular starting spot at the Soweto giants. His high-profile switch from Stellenbosch FC was viewed as a major step in his career and a platform to elevate his game. The move is also expected to boost his chances of going to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the All Whites.
The domestic competition is set to have a new winner after the defending champions, Kaizer Chiefs, were eliminated. The Round of 16 matches concluded on Sunday with more teams booking their places in the quarter-final. Babina Noko, who are also mathematically in the Premier Soccer League title race, progressed in this knockout competition.
The 20-year-old was one of the standout performers for the South Africa national U20 football team at the 2025 edition of the age-group global tournament. His displays raised hopes that he could return to Amakhosi and become a regular as the Soweto giants chase their season ambitions. However, he has found it difficult to cement a consistent place in the starting line-up.
The Sea Robbers and the Tshwane giants recently met in a high-profile and high-stakes league encounter. In the end, Masandawana managed a win which helped them close in on the Soweto giants as the title race gathers momentum. Although the defending league champions won, they have been warned, as the Sea Robbers are said to enjoy an advantage in the race.
After a disappointing week for the Sea Robbers, the much-anticipated Soweto derby, one of the biggest fixtures in the domestic calendar, will be about more than just bragging rights. The Buccaneers will be under immense pressure to respond to their back-to-back defeats, something the left winger has reassured supporters that they are ready to address with a strong performance.
The 29-year-old has been with the Buccaneers since July 2019, when he joined the Soweto giants from Bloemfontein Celtic. However, this season has arguably been the toughest of his time at the club, with increased competition in midfield and limited opportunities. The difficult spell has fuelled speculation about his future under the current coach and whether he still features in the long-term plans.
The PSL big three have all exited the Nedbank Cup, shifting full focus onto the league title race. While Mamelodi Sundowns still have continental commitments, the spotlight now turns to the Soweto teams. A retired footballer believed the Glamour Boys still have a chance and that this is their opportunity to fight and be among Africa’s elite clubs.
The goal-scoring struggles continue to haunt the Mayfair side, who, within the space of a week, suffered another defeat. Saturday’s loss ended their hopes of adding another cup, forcing them to refocus solely on the league; however, Ouaddou noted that such upsets are expected in cup competitions.
Abafana Bes’thende were meant to be celebrating their progression to the quarter-finals, but their victory was clouded by controversy and lingering “what if” questions over a contentious incident. Despite his side being on the favourable end of the decision, the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor maintained that the league urgently needs VAR to keep pace with the speed of the modern game.
The 20-year-old started his first competitive match for his new club, but it did not go as planned. Despite taking the lead in the first half through Hugo Cuypers, Chicago succumbed to two second half goals to slump to their first defeat of the Eastern Conference season. Puso Dithejane also made his debut when he replaced his fellow countryman in the 88th minute.
The Premier Soccer League takes a break this weekend as clubs chase a slot in the last eight of the annual domestic competition. After holders Amakhosi were knocked out by the Cape Winelands side, it is interesting to see who takes over. Top dogs Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have also both been eliminated.
The Soweto giants have shown some improvements in other departments this season, but their attack remains a huge concern. This is despite Amakhosi having eight forwards in their squad, but they are still unconvincing upfront. That has forced the technical team to formulate means to get the goals in, as Amakhosi still have chances of winning the Premier Soccer League title.
The Sea Robbers have been creating chances in matches but struggled to take them despite having experienced players at their disposal. Questions have been asked about the ability of the club realising their ambition of winning all the available domestic trophies. So far, they have secured the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout.
The Buccaneers are out of the Nedbank Cup after being knocked out by their National First Division opponents, via a penalty shootout, at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. It was a second successive defeat for the Soweto giants after losing 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a Premier Soccer League match on Wednesday.
The Brazilians had no answers as the Rockets outplayed them in the domestic Cup tournament played at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium. The technical team rotated the team, but the plan didn't work as Masandawana now joined the Glamour Boys in the cold, paving the way for the Sea Robbers to go all the way and reclaim the crown.
Before the Africa Cup of Nations finals, the 27-year-old was a prominent starter for the Soweto giants. However, since returning from Morocco, he has been a peripheral figure at a time when the Sea Robbers are hunting crucial points. His absence has raised numerous questions, and now a club legend has hinted there could be a problem between the midfielder and his coach.
As the season nears its end, football fans, former players, and coaches have their predictions, but a former Bafana Bafana international believes every team still has a chance, noting that the goals flowing in the 2025/26 season have not gone unnoticed. The traditional Big Three are in the title race mix, but who will have the last laugh when the campaign concludes?
The Brazilians remain in contention to lift the trophy they last won a decade ago. However, their unconvincing displays in the group phase have raised questions about their authority in the competition. With that vulnerability exposed, their opponents now fancy their chances of getting past the PSL heavyweights in the knockout stage.
The 20-year-old made a surprising exit to the Major Soccer League after making his name in South Africa while turning out for the Sea Robbers. There was reported interest from Europe, where some top teams were linked with the Bafana Bafana international. However, the centre-back and his representatives opted to go to the United States.
A Champions League knockout phase play-off encounter in Lisbon between Benfica and Los Blancos had to take an unplanned 15-minute break. Reason? The Brazilian and Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni exchanged words, with the former alleging he was racially abused, delaying the match in the process. The 'Special One' has found himself on the receiving end of heavy criticism when he failed to condemn his player at the centre of the alleged racial abuse controversy.
Orlando Pirates
