The Buccaneers began the year at the summit of the Premier Soccer League standings but have since been dislodged by Mamelodi Sundowns, who now hold a slender lead. Despite losing top spot, the Soweto giants remain firmly in the title race and are gearing up to resume their challenge. Attention now shifts to this weekend as the Soweto giants return to league action and their Moroccan coach could hand competitive debuts to some of the club’s new signings when they face Sekhukhune United on Saturday.
Amakhosi have released two players in the ongoing short January transfer window, hoping they get regular play-time to stand a chance of featuring for the senior team in the future. The Glamour Boys have not added any big names to their playing unit despite chasing major titles. Interestingly, both Masandawana and Bucs have brought in new faces.
In a bid to allow some of their players to leave and get playtime, Bucs have released the two to their stars' league rivals. In the off-season transfer window, the Sea Robbers signed more than 10 players, and their strengthening mission has also continued in the mid-season window. With a huge playing squad, it is natural that some players will play more than others, and the fringe ones have been sent out on short-term deals.
In a bid to boost their prospect of finishing in the top eight bracket, the club is hoping to strengthen their squad in order to achieve their ambition. Among the players they want to bring on board is an attacker who was sharpened at the Bucs' academy. The need for a lethal attacking department has been made even more urgent after Puso Dithejane left.
The Western Cape team picked up crucial points on Tuesday evening with a victory over Sekhukhune United on their home turf, slowly moving themselves out of the relegation danger zone. The result marked former Kaizer Chiefs coach's first win in charge and a positive start to his tenure, although he was quick to raise fitness concerns regarding the players from Tshwane.
Following the strong statement by Amakhosi football manager Bobby Motaung in recent weeks that the Soweto side had no intentions of signing new players, the surprising announcement of Cape Town City player Xhosa Manyana joining the Naturena-based team raised eyebrows. However, the club has since come forward to explain the reason behind the new acquisition.
The Citizens have introduced new additions to the KwaZulu-Natal team on a loan from Babina Noko, aiming to inject new energy into their attack. With the team hoping to make an impression of finishing inside the top eight, all eyes will be on the duo to see if they can hit the ground running and help Sinethemba Badela' side to make a statement in Mzansi’s top flight.
The Soweto giants' Glamour Boys have not been as busy as their rivals in the ongoing short January transfer window. The technical team, as well as the management, believe they have enough quality players to challenge for the Premier Soccer League title, Nedbank Cup, and the CAF Confederation Cup in the ongoing edition.
As Abafana Bes'thende's poor form continues, their head coach feels that they were robbed in their match against Amakhosi. The two PSL sides met in a rather high-stakes game, as each wanted a win to end their respective winless run in the league. Although the Soweto giants won, their victory has been questioned and the ex-Masandawana tactician said there is a need to introduce the refereering technology into the league.
The Buccaneers forward delivered a statement performance on his maiden appearance for the Cape Winelands club. His crucial contribution in the Maroons' shirt on his first game is likely to spark debate about whether the Soweto giants made a mistake in releasing him to spend the rest of the season away from the club.
After dropping four points from a possible six before the Premier Soccer League went on a break, Amakhosi resumed their campaign with a win. Although they were wasteful, especially in the first half, the win and a clean sheet are good enough to set a positive tone ahead of more crucial games coming up. Abafana Bes'thende returned home more worried as their winless run in the league extended to four games in a row.
The winger completed a surprise move to the Brazilians from the Soweto giants, catching many off guard, including Masandawana players and Orbit College FC where he was on loan. The transfer was finalised while Orbit College heavily relied on him as a key figure in the team in their bid to maintain their Premier Soccer League status for next season. However, he will have to wait a bit longer before making his Masandawana debut.
The West African player, who made his name at Young Africans in Tanzania before he moved north, could be on his way out after another North African club is reported to be ready to sign him. Despite making a reported big money transfer from Tanzania to Morocco, the forward has not quite settled with the Moroccan heavyweights.
The forward is the latest South African talent to cross the borders and sign for a foreign club, ready for the challenges that come with the move. Having made an impressive mark in the Premier Soccer League, he now has an opportunity to test his ability in a different environment against a different kinds of opponent. For the star, it is a career progression, and for the PSL club, it was an opportunity to cash in on one of their prized assets.
The former Esperance coach has been under massive pressure owing to Masandawana's struggles, especially in the Premier Soccer League as well as the other domestic competitions. 'Jingles' has been heavily linked with a return to the Brazilians to help in shaping the squad, but the Portuguese tactician has rubbished the speculation.
The Tshwane giants bounced back to winning ways and reclaimed Premier Soccer League top spot right on their return from the 2025 AFCON break with a result stating their intentions in their bid for a ninth straight title. Their Portuguese coach started what looked like a second-string side before throwing in familiar names in the second half. But they still managed to see off the challenge of their visitors from Limpopo.
The 29-year-old started the season in a promising manner and was being touted as a deserving player to be selected for Bafana Bafana duty, but fizzled out and was being frozen out by Buccaneers coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. That sparked transfer rumours and the forward has now moved to the Cape Winelands where he will try to pick up form and end the season on a high.
Amakhosi rivals, particularly Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, have taken advantage of the short transfer window. But the Glamour Boys have not yet brought on board anyone, and there is a likelihood the technical bench will work with the players already available. Given that they are challenging on both domestic and continental fronts, Chiefs' coaches can only hope each and every player will play their part as required in order to achieve their season's ambitions.
After signing more than 10 players in the offseason transfer window, the Bucs' squad expanded incredibly, and that meant some players were automatically going to struggle for game time. In the January window, more have been brought on board; consequently, some will be released, while others will be allowed to join other clubs, either permanently or on short-term deals.
The former Bafana Bafana star becomes the latest South African talent to cross the border in search of more footballing opportunities. The club has highlighted the importance of the appointment, and they hope the former Mzansi will help them achieve their ambitions. After his career was cut short by a serious injury, it is a chance for him to test himself in a different capacity within the soccer world.
The former Amakhosi tactician is hoping to strengthen his new squad with tried and tested players. Both Mabasa and the winger have faced similar situations this season: reduced playtime, and to get a solution, they need to find new clubs. Now, the experienced South African tactician is reportedly ready to welcome them at his new club.
Masandadawana have been dominant in this fixture, but Amakhosi were on another level and delivered a display that their rivals did not match. The victory also means the defending champions have extended their winning run to five games. Although Chiefs will celebrate their win, deep down, they know the victory hands their Soweto rivals a huge advantage in the title race.
The former Orlando Pirates coach has gone on to create history beyond Mzansi borders, with the 39-year-old tactician once again underlining his pedigree. Having already shown his capability during his spells at Mayfair and Chloorkop, the latest cup triumph with his current side came as no surprise to Pitso Mosimane, who had long foreseen Mokwena’s success and publicly backed him when he appointed him as his assistant at Sundowns.
In a bid to seek stronger ties outside the country, the Glamour Boys have entered into a partnership with the clubs. It is expected that Amakhosi players will be the greatest beneficiaries of these deals. Already, the Soweto giants have sent some of their young talents out in order to help them gain first-team experience.
The South Africa international endured torrid moments with the Buccaneers before being sent on loan to the Mswenko Boys at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, where he hoped to rediscover his form. A couple of days ago, the defending Premier Soccer League champions went for his services in their bid to bolster their squad.
The Sea Robbers' bid to win the title gains momentum each matchday after they registered yet another victory that has seen them widen the gap with their closest rivals. Now on a four-match winning streak, the Bucs are motivated as they hope to dethrone current champions, Kaizer Chiefs. With another clean sheet and a convincing victory, the Buccaneers are sending a clear signal to the rivals that they mean business and anyone standing between them and the title can easily be swept aside.
Orlando Pirates
