Even though some of their key players were not available, the Sea Robbers outshone the combined All-Stars team to secure another trophy. The exhibition match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium gave the Soweto giants a chance to add another collection into their trophy cabinet. The victory in the Carling Black Label Cup came after they had secured a cup double following their success in the Carling Knockout.
The former Orlando Pirates striker will head straight to Morocco after South Africa coach Hugo Broos indicated that his Europe-based stars will team up with the rest of his squad at the continental tournament. That rules him out of Tuesday's international friendly match against Ghana at Dobsonville Stadium. But being someone who has been in the national team setup for a while, his absence from the early stages of camp is likely not to show.
The 27-year-old was given a lifeline by the Buccaneers after being discarded by Mamelodi Sundowns when his career appeared to be heading downhill. He has since silenced his critics by rejuvenating his game at the Soweto giants, earning himself a return to the national team on the back of consistent performances. Now enjoying some good form, he is widely expected to play a key role for South Africa at the continental competition.
In an attempt to clear himself of the allegations made against him, the Bafana tactician has broken his silence over the matter. The experienced coach has been under fire since he called out the defender for reporting late to the camp. A frustrated Broos criticised the Chicago Fire's new signing and his agent, as well as Orlando Pirates.
The exhibition match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday provided several players with the opportunity to showcase their talents against Beer Cup champions Orlando Pirates. It proved to be a valuable opportunity for Manqoba Mngqithi’s select side and the Buccaneers players alike to stake their claims during this AFCON break. In the end, the afternoon turned into a vibrant parade of what the Premier Soccer League has to offer, including exciting prospects emerging from the DStv Diski Challenge ranks.
As Broos deals with the storm, his comments on the Chicago Fire defender generated, he has singled out what he will not tell the Bafana Bafana players before and during the AFCON finals. The Belgian has also revealed the pressure he gets from the fans, who are hopeful that Mzansi will do well in Morocco. After reaching the semi-finals in the last edition, Bafana are seen as among the pre-tournament favourites.
The Sea Robbers have been doing well in South African domestic football this season where they have already won the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout. The Buccaneers are now tipped to go all the way and win the Premier Soccer League owing to their form, quality, and depth. Bucs are also hoping to make an impact in the Nedbank Cup.
Broos' attack on the Bafana defender continues to dominate the headlines as South Africa focus on the Africa Cup of Nations finals. The Chicago Fire's new signing reported to the camp late, disappointing his head coach, who made controversial comments against the player and his agent. The Belgian also attacked Bucs and claimed the MTN8 and Carling Knockout champions were defending the player.
The reigning Premier Soccer League champions are in Botswana, where they took part in a tournament, as most of their players were not involved in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), starting December 21 to January 18 in Morocco. Masandawana showed their class, reaping their opponents apart as the technical team continues working on their tactics.
The Buccaneers boast enviable depth across the pitch, giving head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou options in every department. But that strength has a shadow side: talented players slipping down the pecking order, roles shrinking confidence fading, and careers stalling as competition intensifies in a squad built to challenge on all fronts.
As South Africa prepare to grace the Africa Cup of Nations, Broos found himself dealing with a storm generated by his comments on the Chicago Fire defender. While explaining his disappointment over the MTN8 and Carling Knockout champion, the Belgian used words that have put him under intensive scrutiny. Now, a top government official has waded into the debate and revealed what he is waiting for in regard to what Broos said.
With key players unavailable as they are focused on the Africa Cup of Nations, Ouaddou is expected to give playtime to other stars. In the team that has landed in Durban ahead of the showdown against All-Stars, there are a few players, including a teenager, who could be deployed. After winning the Carling Knockout, the Bucs might win another trophy on Saturday, although it is not an official cup.
The 20-year-old former Orlando Pirates defender, who recently joined a Major League Soccer outfit, Chicago Fire, found himself on the receiving end after failing to report to the South African residential camp on time. The 73-year-old Belgian tactician did not take it lightly, as anticipated, since he loves players who are disciplined.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos announced his squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, and as expected, there were prominent names missing from the Belgian's selection. One of the players whose omission triggered debate is the Wydad Casablanca attacker. He did not even appear in the preliminary squad and has, over a period of time, not been considered for national duty.
The 24-year-old winger is one of the players who featured at the last edition of the continental tournament in Ivory Coast, even though he was used only sparingly at the time. Back then, he was still turning out for Polokwane City before securing a big move to the Buccaneers ahead of the current season. The national team coach has since highlighted the significant improvement shown by the Cape Town-born star.
South African political party, United Democratic Movement (UDM), has angrily reacted to the utterances made by the Belgian coach as he took aim at his defender and the player's agent who facilitated the transfer from the Buccaneers to North America. The political party has deemed the coach's remarks as inappropriate, leading to them approaching the Human Rights Commission with a complaint.
Both the former Orlando Pirates defender and the South Africa tactician have been trending since Wednesday, just 10 days before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that is set to begin in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. The new Chicago Fire defender was on the receiving end for failing to meet his end of the bargain in the national team's preparations.
In the last couple of months, 'Nyoso' has been trending after being overlooked by the South Africa technical bench despite his rich form in North Africa, where he is delivering for the Red Castle domestically and abroad. According to the 73-year-old Belgian coach, the former Buccaneers' attacker has nothing to bring in the team.
When the Belgian announced his 23-man squad headed to Morocco for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON], there were some surprises. The 73-year-old tactician left tongues wagging with some of his choices, leaving out some big names and experienced campaigners. Broos also included a couple of youngsters, some of whom will be in the senior national team setup for the very first time.
The 20-year-old defender secured a reported $3 million (R50 million) transfer to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire, but will join them only after representing South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations. He played his final match for Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout Cup final, helping the Buccaneers lift the trophy before this new chapter abroad.
The 20-year-old, fresh from captaining the Buccaneers to their second cup triumph, clinching the Carling Knockout Cup just months after a fourth consecutive MTN8, has come under fire from the Belgian coach as Bafana Bafana gear up for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from December 21.
The former Morocco defender was captured in a moment of connection with his players after the Buccaneers beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 to win the Carling Knockout at Peter Mokaba Stadium last Sunday. The Soweto giants' coach sprinted on the pitch with his players in hot pursuit to shower him with champagne in celebration of their triumph and second major trophy of the season.
The Buccaneers were rewarded with their impressive domestic form as they produced nine players for Hugo Broos' South Africa, who will be in Morocco from December 21 to challenge for the continental glory. The 20-year-old defender who recently sealed a move to the Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire is convinced Bucs players will play a starring role for the national team at the tournament.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has emerged as one of the Buccaneers’ standout performers this season, consistently delivering influential displays in the middle of the park. His impressive form has earned him the trust of both the Soweto giants’ technical team and the national team coach. At 27, he looks rejuvenated and is playing some of the best football of his career.
The Premier Soccer League rewards the best individuals monthly, starting from the tactician who has delivered for his team, the player with the best starts in the respective month, as well as a second-to-none strike in the South African top-tier. The Sea Robbers have once again been recognised for what they have achieved.
A majority of countries on the continent are unhappy that the World Football Governing Body told clubs they can keep their players for up to a week before the prestigious nations' biennial competition that will be played in Morocco. A total of 24 teams, with South Africa among them, will be battling for the bragging rights.
Orlando Pirates
