The two traditional rivals are set for the first meeting this season in the South African top-tier which could affect the race for the crown. The first fixture is about three weeks away, and the fans in Mzansi are looking forward to the derby. Interestingly, both sides are strongly challenging for the title.
The Amakhosi and Bafana Bafana legend was speaking as a club ambassador at their Carling Black Label partnership launch when he dismissed suggestions that any side that beats The Brazilians to the title when the team is in turmoil will not have the right to believe they are the best team in the country.
Following an unexpected but amicable parting between the Sea Robbers and the Nigerian defender, speculation was rife on where the centre-back would head next. Now it appears that the 28-year-old will remain in South Africa's top flight despite rumours of options in North Africa.
The Glamour Boys, who were the defending champions, just couldn't get past Stellenbosch in the initial hurdle after falling 2-1 a couple of days ago. However, big guns like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates - who are chasing a treble- are still in the annual tournament, hoping to go all the way.
As the Sea Robbers chase domestic trophies on two fronts, players face stiff competition for starting slots. One of the positions that is highly contested in the Buccaneers setup is the creative role behind the strikers, a duty that is considered crucial for any team to function seamlessly. The slot was strengthened in the off-season window, and another top star was added in January, making the contest even tighter.
The former Esperance tactician is not getting it easy at Masandawana as the Brazilians continue to disappoint domestically and abroad. Despite the resources at his disposal, the Portuguese is at risk of ending the 2025/26 season without silverware domestically and abroad. It explains why he might not end the campaign in Mzansi.
It seems like the defending Premier Soccer League champions are set to start preparations for the new campaign as soon as possible. They have already identified their target, who has massive experience in the South African game despite his tender age. The versatile attacker has been linked with a move to the Soweto giants.
As the former Orlando Pirates coach hopes to have a successful campaign with the Algerian outfit, he has declared that he will use a template perfected by 'Jingles'. The young tactician worked under the three-time CAF inter-club competition winner during their time at Masandawana, where he must have picked up one or two technical cues from his then mentor.
Although the Sea Robbers managed a convincing victory in the Round of 32, questions have been raised about whether they were favoured by the circumstances. TTM decided to host the Premier Soccer League heavyweights in Durban, instead of their usual home in Limpopo, a move that has been said to have handed Bucs an advantage.
After the Buccaneers were praised for their depth in central defence and midfield, another department has now emerged as equally well-stocked. The growing strength in this area highlights the squad’s balance and it follows the coach’s decision to assign new responsibilities to a Bafana Bafana midfielder.
The 28-year-old last featured in competitive action in September 2024, with persistent fitness issues playing a major role in his lengthy absence. Even after returning from injury, he struggled for game time amid stiff competition in the Buccaneers’ central defence. He eventually left the club in search of regular playing opportunities elsewhere.
Amakhosi's sporting director admits it would've been ideal to wrap up qualification with a game to spare, but he's delighted they still hold their destiny in their own hands ahead of a crunch trip to Egypt where a point will ensure qualification for the knockout rounds.
As Amakhosi continue to chase continental glory, their bitter traditional rivals focus on domestic competitions only. The Glamour Boys will have to contend with a congested calendar, and according to the coach, there is a need to ease the burden on them. Before February ends, Chiefs would have played four games - including the Soweto derby - all in a span of days.
The Natal Rich Boys join other clubs, including Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, in the next phase of a competition where a new champion is expected. Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated as the remaining teams continue chasing the CAF Confederation Cup ticket by winning the annual competition.
The draw complicates Masandawana's dream of reaching the last eight and puts more pressure on head coach Miguel Cardoso. This was the third straight match where Downs dropped points after a defeat and a draw against Al Hilal in the previous two games. Should the Pretoria giants fail to advance, they will be considered architects of their own downfall, given the inconsistency in performance that they have shown.
The Soweto outfits ended the week on the back foot following disappointing results in their respective Sunday morning fixtures. The Buccaneers were forced to settle for a single point, while Amakhosi suffered a heavy defeat in a five-goal encounter that compounded their struggles.
The Buccaneers gave themselves a strong chance to stay on course for a historic quadruple with a convincing victory over third-tier opponents. Despite the emphatic scoreline, their coach was far from being satisfied with the performance. His reaction underlined just how determined the Buccaneers are to lift this trophy.
The 25-year-old midfielder delivered a stellar performance on Saturday afternoon in the David versus Goliath clash against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, contributing a goal and walking away with the Man of the Match accolade.
The Buccaneers cruised to victory against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in a well-packed Moses Mabhida Stadium. While goals rained in, the Moroccan mentor remained far from satisfied, insisting that his troops could and should improve their finishing to make their dominance more clinical.
Unrelenting Masandawana grinded yet another positive outcome as they try as hard as possible to close in on their title rivals. As Downs registered another victory, it was another good day for a South African star who is in good scoring form. With Pirates and Sundowns engaged in a tight battle for the title, the defending champions, Kaizer Chiefs, languish in the fifth position.
The journey has come to an end for the 2020/21 Nedbank Cup winners, as the third-tier outfit failed to cause an upset against the Sea Robbers. For the Buccaneers, the journey to a season quadruple is alive as they now chase the cup lost to bitter rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, last season and the Premier Soccer League title. Amakhosi, the defending champions, were knocked out of the competition by Stellenbosch.
The Soweto giants appear to boast improved defences this season, with their shot-stoppers also earning praise for being solid between the sticks. Their performances have inevitably sparked debate over who stands out as the best so far this term. A legendary former goalkeeper has now weighed in with his view which could also further fuel the debate.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Soweto giants as they remain in Durban for clash with their opponents from Limpopo at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. They are keen to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2024 and missed out on an opportunity for a third straight title last season when they finished as runners-up. The Buccaneers are also bidding for this trophy for the 11th time and edge closer to Kaizer Chiefs who have won it 14 times.
After the disappointment of being runners-up last season and having their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs end their run of two successive triumphs in this competition, the Buccaneers are keen on reclaiming this trophy this season. They come up against their Limpopo opponents, who were the champions of this tournament in 2021.
Teams in the Premier Soccer League are chasing the CAF Confederation Cup ticket for the 2026/27 edition by virtue of winning the annual competition. It is promising to be a competitive assignment as top dogs are also hoping to win the cash prize as well as the glory associated with the competition. In the last three editions, the tournament has been won by the Soweto giants.
The Soweto giants were eliminated from this prestigious knockout tournament right at the first attempt to defend it after they were crowned champions last season to end a decade-long trophy drought. To lift this premier knockout competition in South Africa last term, they had to eliminate Mamelodi Sundowns and then beat the Buccaneers in the final.
Orlando Pirates
