Orlando Pirates news

The former Morocco international and Fulham defender is enjoying his tenure at the Soweto giants, where he has already won two domestic crowns, a couple of months after helping Marumo Gallants from the Premier Soccer League's relegation. However, the 47-year-old is set to do without one of his key players, who is set for a new challenge.

The Buccaneers continued their great domestic form on Saturday with another Cup triumph, which makes it two titles in just a couple of months. The team is hoping to go all the way and secure the Premier Soccer League title for the first time in a decade, as well as the Nedbank Cup once club football resumes in January.

The Buccaneers waited until late in the second half of the extra time to find a way past Marumo Gallants to secure their second crown in domestic football. The former Morocco international had helped the Sea Robbers win the MTN8 title early in the season with a victory over Stellenbosch, who were determined to spoil the party.

The Premier Soccer League leaders marched into the final at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, December 6, chasing a second trophy of the campaign, having already lifted the MTN8 earlier in the season. Standing in their way were Bahlabane ba Ntwa, determined to script history by claiming their first-ever piece of major silverware in the top-flight.

The senior national team played in the 1998, 2002, and 2010 global competitions but failed to get past the initial hurdle. A majority of the supporters in the country believe that could change in the 2026 edition to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada after Friday's draw that saw Mzansi being placed in what they feel is a manageable group.

South Africa will open the prestigious global competition against the co-hosts, hoping to start on a high note to stand a chance of advancing to the knockout phase for the first time in their history. However, they will definitely not find it easy coming up against a team supported by thousands of home fans.

The Belgian mentor recently unveiled his final 25‑man squad set to carry South Africa’s hopes at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. With a blend of seasoned campaigners and rising talents, the group will aim to showcase resilience, unity and ambition on the continental stage as Bafana Bafana prepare to fly the national flag high in pursuit of glory.

With the Premier Soccer League campaign taking shape, the title favourites can now be deduced based on how teams have fared so far. Usual competitors, the Sea Robbers and the Brazilians, are the leading contenders, pointing to another possibility that there will be a tight run between them again.

The Botswana Premier League is steadily emerging as an attractive destination for South African coaches and players seeking new opportunities. This could reflect how football in that country is growing. A clear sign of this progress is the Botswana national team, which has qualified for AFCON and is guided by South African coach Morena Ramoreboli. Now, a big-name coach in South African football is linked with a club in the Southern African nation.

GOAL gives you the details to follow the Soweto giants' clash with Bahlabane ba Ntwa in the Carling Knockout final at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. It is both teams' final game of 2025 and they would be keen on signing off the year on a high. For the Buccaneers, they will be on the hunt for a second trophy of the season after lifting the MTN8 earlier on. Their opponents are bidding for their first-ever piece of major silverware in the top-flight league.

The 61-year-old celebrated South African tactician believes Hugo Broos' men have enough quality to ensure they don't fall in the initial phase of the prestigious global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The senior national team has, in the past, not made the knockout stage.

The Carling Knockout final is more than a trophy chase. For the Buccaneers, it’s a farewell stage for 20-year-old centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who departs for Major League Soccer after this match. For Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, it’s a chance to etch their name into history. One night, two stories and a stadium braced for destiny.

South Africa are set for the tournament, where they have been placed in Group A alongside the co-hosts, hoping to get the needed result that will see them get into the knockout phase. The country has never made it past the initial phase in the competition, and this will be a massive chance for them to show the world what they are made of.