The Brazilians left it late to deny their hosts at least a point and break the hearts of Orlando Pirates fans who had hoped to see their team go top of the table with a win this weekend. However, it left a lot to be desired as the defending champions struggled to break Eric Tinkler's men at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The win opened a three-point gap ahead of second-placed Bucs.
The old rivals are set for another crunch meeting that will see legends rub shoulders in the next couple of days. This is a game that will see the victor get an opportunity to face a team from abroad in April. Furthermore, the fans will have a massive opportunity to engage and witness their favourites.
The first round of South Africa's premier knockout competition is set to kick-off on February 4, with some interesting match-ups on the cards. Defending champions Amakhosi and other participants now know when their fixtures are and the venues where they will play their games. This is a prestigious competition that comes with a ticket to play CAF Confederation Cup football next season.
As the Buccaneers have just entered the second half of the season with a squad that already looked balanced, the coach still appears to be searching for solutions in certain areas. That pursuit has seen him bring in a New Zealand attacking midfielder, a forward, and a left-back who can also operate as a central defender. What remains to be seen now is whether those signings prove to be the right choices.
There is no doubt that President Yama 2000 is a top player for the Sea Robbers despite his young age. In recent times, the Soweto giants have produced very promising young talents in South Africa, and some have already left for greener pastures. Mofokeng had been linked with an overseas move, especially in the off-season transfer window, but nothing materialised in the end.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Benson Mhlongo has hit out at fans demanding the Portuguese coach's head after their 2-2 draw with Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League, insisting a mid-season switch would spell disaster.
Clubs have a couple of days to get the players they need in the short January transfer window after the resumption of club football. The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament led to domestic competitions' break, to allow players represent their respective countries. With a couple of months remaining to end the campaign, teams are desperate to meet their targets.
The versatile midfielder was Amakhosi's transfer target before, but Masandawana decided to keep him although he has been struggling for game time. The Tshwane giants made sure they kept their quality stars in order to maintain their competitive edge and avoid strengthening their rivals by releasing their players to them. The Pretoria heavyweights have now been praised for keeping the midfielder by handing him a contract extension.
Although they lost one of their top and young defenders, the Sea Robbers quickly went back to the market and bought his replacement. The new signing has been described as a perfect player for the Soweto giants, and the only challenge for him is to try and meet the bar set by his predecessor. The three new faces were brought on board at a critical juncture as the Buccaneers chase the league title after bagging two domestic trophies.
Clubs in the Premier Soccer League have resumed their domestic assignment after a couple of weeks on break owing to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Usuthu's bid to finish in the top eight again received a huge boost after their win, as Polokwane suffered a defeat after a four-match unbeaten streak.
The league is taking an interesting turn as Masandawana try hard to close the gap between them and runaway Bucs. On the other hand, Amakhosi suffered a huge setback after they suffered a defeat after a rather long period of point collection.
The Soweto giants picked their first maximum set of points in this CAF Confederation Cup Group D after edging Zega Mambo away at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Sunday. It was a crucial victory on the road which renewed Amakhosi's hopes of reaching the knockout stage of this continental competition.
After a shaky start earlier in the week, Babina Noko held the Sea Robbers to a goalless draw on Saturday - a performance that earned praise from the 55-year-old tactician. However, he also flagged concerns over the team’s consistency.
The Sea Robbers were in action against Babina Noko in the South African top-flight football on Saturday at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The Buccaneers have been in good form and were aiming to avenge the initial 1-0 defeat suffered. However, spoils were eventually shared as no team found the back of the net.
The 21-year-old South African attacker has been a key player for the Knight of Ad-Dahna since his shock move in the off-season transfer window. He was in action on Saturday as the Commandos collected vital points in the Saudi top-tier. The club is hoping to finish in the top positions at the end of the ongoing campaign.
The Sea Robbers failed to collect maximum points against Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, which saw them fail to get on top of the Premier Soccer League table. It is a slow start to the year, which was not anticipated by their faithful owing to their strong run in domestic competitions before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break.
Prior to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break, the Sea Robbers were the most in-form team domestically. Under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Buccaneers had won the MTN8, Carling Knockout and the Carling Black Label Cup while their rivals struggled to deliver. The main challenge is to sustain their run in the second half of the season.
After two seasons with the Moroccan giants, the 32-year-old attacker has moved to a new club. The ex-Bucs star was signed by Rhulani Mokwena, whose stint with the former CAF Champions League winners was turbulent, and the tactician left after a season. After Mokwena and Cassius Mailula's departure, Lorch has also left, leaving Wydad with no South African talent.
When it comes to the PSL title race, many pundits and soccer fanatics are always ready to bet on either Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates winning it but not Amakhosi. Since 2015, the Glamour Boys have never won the league, and last season they finished outside the top eight. This season, they have shown improvements, but do they have quality players to help them end the league title drought?
The 30-year-old was the subject of transfer talk before the start of the current season after missing training amid rumours he was pushing for a move overseas. Now he is back in the headlines during this January transfer window, this time being linked with Masandawana’s fierce rivals, the Buccaneers. The defender has since taken time to respond to the latest rumours.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Soweto giants' trip to Polokwane for a Premier Soccer League date with Babina Noko at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. It is the Buccaneers' first match of 2026, and they would want to build on the momentum they left off last year, as they showed seriousness in their fight for the league title. They come up against a team that beat them in their first PSL match of the season in October 2025.
The South African winger is enjoying his football again after struggles with Orlando Pirates and the defending Premier Soccer League champions. The 32-year-old delivered in the Botola Pro League before inviting suitors from other countries. Nyoso is now set for a new challenge, hoping to sustain his form.
The Buccaneers return to action after the 2025 AFCON break with a tricky Premier Soccer League trip to Polokwane, where they face Babina Noko at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. The Buccaneers are out to reclaim the two-point cushion they held before the break, having been knocked off the summit after Mamelodi Sundowns shot to the top on Monday. Adding spice to the encounter, they come up against one of only two sides to have beaten them in the league this season.
The 32-year-old midfielder is again on the move but remains in North Africa. The latest developments come after reports emerged that a deal is in the pipeline for the former Orlando Pirates man to go to Libya. This comes after he started the season on a high note for the Moroccan giants, as he justified their decision to sign him permanently when Rhulani Mokwena wanted him at MC Alger.
The two-year tradition is set to end after the 2028 edition, and the decision to shift the continental tournament continues to attract criticism and applause almost in equal measure. For long, African football fans knew that the competition would be held biennially, and this wait will be prolonged given the recent decision made and announced by CAF's president, Patrice Motsepe. Now, one of Africa's most experienced and most respected coaches has shared his concerns, blasting the people in charge at CAF.
Although they are widely considered to be among the top three football giants in the country, Amakhosi have lagged behind in terms of success as compared to Bucs and Downs. Masandawana have dominated the Premier Soccer League in the last eight straight seasons, and the Buccaneers have stamped their authority in the domestic competitions. The Glamour Boys, on the other hand, boast last season's Nedbank Cup success, a trophy that ended their decade-long wait for a major gong.
Orlando Pirates
