The Sea Robbers are up against a lower division team again in South Africa's premier knockout competition. They are out to reclaim a trophy they last won in 2024 under Jose Riveiro. The Soweto giants would also want to atone for being this competition's losing finalists last season after rivals Kaizer Chiefs denied them a chance to shine on the podium.
The Buccaneers continue with their ambitions to lift the quadruple as they lock horns with National First Division opposition in their latest assignment. A far sterner examination looms against familiar old foes, setting up a defining spell in their campaign. It marks a demanding period for the Moroccan coach and his men, who are still recovering from a bruising encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers are still hoping to become the only side in South Africa to win all the available major trophies on the domestic front in a season. After winning the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout, the Soweto giants are now targeting a place in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals as they host the lower-tier outfit at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday in the Round of 16.
Relebohile Mofokeng’s new role as a playmaker has squeezed his Bafana Bafana teammate and the Kiwi out of regular minutes, limiting their opportunities to influence matches. With game time now harder to come by, both players risk ending the season on a low note. That situation could also hurt their national team prospects ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup if they continue struggling for consistent action.
The Glamour Boys' co-coaches started the season with promise as their tactics seemed to work. However, the last two weeks have exposed them as Amakhosi remain at risk of ending the campaign without silverware. They are out of the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup, which could see them concluding the season empty-handed.
As Amakhosi and Bucs focus only on domestic trophies, Masandawana are set for a very demanding calendar. Downs are not only juggling both continental and domestic assignments but are also facing considerable pressure from the Soweto giants in the league title race. Amid unrelenting challenge from their rivals, the million-dollar question remains whether the Brazilians can withstand the storm and maintain their top-flight dominance.
During their time at Naturena, Ranga Chivaviro and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana both failed to live up to their goal-scoring potential and were eventually shipped off as disappointed Amakhosi fans waved them away without too much thought. But the duo seem to have found their level and their goalscoring touch in the Middle East, if their exploits in this 2-2 draw are anything to go by...
In recent matches, the defender appeared to be struggling with knocks, raising fears of his fitness level. The 30-year-old has a troubling history with injuries, but the Bucs' tactician has allayed fears of a fresh injury. With the season heading towards a decisive homestretch, the Sea Robbers cannot afford to lose more players to injuries.
Former Buccaneers fan favourite Aubrey Lekwane has jumped to the youngster's defence after his below-par showing in the 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday blew the Betway Premiership title race wide open. The perennial champions are now just three points behind the Soweto club, locked on the same goal difference and with a game in hand.
After a short and controversial stint and eventual exit, it seems all is not well between the Spaniard and the Egyptian giants. After what was initially thought to be an ambitious move, the 50-year-old coach only lasted three months. A poor run of games, coupled with pressure from fans and the club's legends, saw the African giants dismiss the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup winner.
A huge gap opened in the Buccaneers’ defence after the Bafana Bafana centre-back secured a move to Chicago Fire FC. Although the Soweto giants responded by signing Mpho Chabatsane, they remained reduced at the back following the exit of Olisa Ndah. That might have left coach Abdeslam Ouaddou needing a central defender.
The Colombian forward is turning out to be a massive signing for the Tshwane giants. In key games, the striker has risen to the occasion and lifted the Brazilians when it mattered the most. He played a crucial role again as the Pretoria heavyweights outclassed their PSL title race rivals.
The Buccaneers saw their Premier Soccer League lead trimmed after a tense clash with the Brazilians. Masandawana went into the match appearing to be losing ground in their title defence bid before producing a result when it mattered most. The outcome leaves the championship race wide open heading into the decisive stretch of the season.
As the Buccaneers fought but conceded defeat to their title rivals, one of their key players was unable to complete 90 minutes. The speedster was limited by injury last year, and his return has been overshadowed by fears that he could be sidelined again. Already, the Sea Robbers are operating with a limited squad, as four of their regular starters are battling injuries.
The duo was given a chance to take the team forward following the changes that had been made by the management in the early 2025/26 campaign. The tacticians' future at the Glamour Boys hangs in the balance since the Soweto giants refused to confirm them beyond the current edition, insisting that it will be discussed once it concludes.
The Brazilians faced off against the Buccaneers in the unfamiliar role of slight underdogs at the iconic FNB Stadium on Wednesday night in a crucial Premier Soccer League outing. However, at the final whistle, it was the Pretoria-based team who walked away with maximum points against their hosts, who should have done better with a slew of chances, especially in the first half. Afterwards, the Portuguese tactician was glowing in his praise for his side and what the result does to their title ambitions.
The 53-year-old former Esperance tactician is seemingly getting it right at Masandawana after a heavy storm in the initial games. After just two outings in five days across all competitions, the Brazilians are in the CAF Champions League quarter-final and are now just three points behind the Buccaneers in the Premier Soccer League title race with a game in hand.
The Soweto giants hosted the Brazilians at the iconic FNB Stadium on Wednesday night in the Premier Soccer League outing. However, despite coming into the game as favourites, the Sea Robbers failed to take their chances and were eventually punished 2-1. The result reduced the gap between the teams to just three points.
After back-to-back continental assignments, the Maroons turned their focus to the league duties. Their bid to climb up the ladder was hit by a blow as struggling Dikwena Tsa Meetse frustrated them on their own turf. Stellies' last league victory came against Sekhukhune United, and the relegation-threatened outfit denied them a second straight win in the competition.
The two South African heavyweights met on Wednesday night at the FNB Stadium, with each desperate for maximum points in their quest to win the league crown. It was a massive fixture that could have handed the Soweto giants a nine-point advantage ahead of the defending champions. For Masandawana, this was an opportunity to prove their quality.
The possible return of the experienced gaffer to Chloorkop has been quite a hot topic over the recent weeks. With Miguel Cardoso struggling to steady the ship, reports have linked the former Al Ahly tactician to his former club. The three-time CAF Champions League winner has responded to the rumours and revealed the team he would like to coach next.
The Sea Robbers and the Brazilians are locked into a tight race for the 2025/26 South African top-flight crown. The Soweto giants are currently enjoying a slight advantage thanks to their consistency in the domestic competitions, where they have already won two tournaments. The Buccaneers last won the league more than a decade ago.
When Masandawana and Bucs meet, individual brilliance combined with general team output will matter most. The Sea Robbers will be keen to win and extend the gap, and Downs will try not to let that happen because if it does, they would have ceded more ground in the title race. Now, the Soweto giants have been given a hint on how to beat their midweek visitors.
The Abafana Bes'thende boss believes the 22-year-old winger has the talent, drive and dedication to improvement for a major transfer overseas and dismissed links to the league's big clubs as mere speculation that won't influence the player or his club as they consider his future.
Buccaneers icon Moeneeb Josephs insists the club should fear nothing ahead of their mouth-watering PSL showdown with The Brazilians, claiming the pressure lies squarely on the defending champions. However, with the title race having gathered steam, neither side can afford a slip-up. Every point has become crucial in this battle to secure top spot at the end of the season.
The 22-year-old’s meteoric rise saw him pass through the development ranks of Kaizer Chiefs before sealing a move to TS Galaxy in July 2024. He is now with Masandwana at a time when he has cemented himself as a full Bafana Bafana international. The rapid progression has placed him on course for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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