The Buccaneers are strengthening their arsenal once again, securing another key signing as they intensify their push for league glory. With Pirates continuing their sweep through Western Cape talent, the Soweto giants are clearly gearing up to dominate on all fronts and leave no doubts about their title ambitions both in the Diski Challenge and in the Premier Soccer League.
Since co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze took charge following Nasreddine Nabi’s exit, Amakhosi fans have intensified their calls for management to appoint the decorated coach; a move many believe could stabilise the club, restore its competitive edge and fill one of South African football’s most demanding yet coveted roles.
The 29-year-old has been conspicuously missing from the Sea Robbers during matchdays, and his absence has only generated speculation around his future. Given that he is Bucs' prolific striker, many expected that he would remain a primary figure for the club, but that has not been the case. His coach has now addressed the issue and, in the process, explained why the attacker has not been used on a more regular basis.
The assistant coach has voiced frustration at FIFA’s ruling that clubs may delay releasing players until just before the Africa Cup of Nations. Moving away from the long‑standing policy of earlier release dates has sparked concern, with questions over fairness, respect and how such decisions impact preparation for Africa’s premier football tournament.
This will be the final friendly game for South Africa before they completely switch their focus to the Africa Cup of Nations. Already, Bafana have engaged in one pre-AFCON friendly game; they faced Zambia and defeated them by a 3-1 margin in November in Gqeberha. Hugo Broos has already named his 25-man final squad, and what now remains is to sharpen them further before the continental finals start later this month.
The Sea Robbers have been excellent in local competitions since the 2025/26 season began, already netting two crowns. This weekend, they have a chance to win another one, although unofficial, when they come up against a team selected by the fans at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Amakhosi and Masandawana have each produced four players in the starting side as voted in.
In the last transfer window, Bucs signed more than ten players, and that meant there would be stiff competition for starting positions. Some of the players who were regular starters under Jose Riveiro have found themselves snubbed at times, even when they are fit and available. Although Abdeslam Ouaddou has perfected a rotational policy to accommodate every member of his playing unit, even then, some players have been rarely involved.
The experienced former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician has been serving Abafana Bes'thende since his unceremonious exit from the defending Premier Soccer League champions. He has, however, been linked to some top teams, including the Glamour Boys, who are currently under caretaker coaches until the end of the season.
The tactician has beaten a star-studded line-up of coaches and will now lead a yet-to-be-named All-Stars starting line-up. Although he is struggling at club level, the experienced tactician has a chance to win a trophy this season. However, he faces a tough test, given that the recently crowned Carling Knockout champions, Pirates, are his opponents.
There have been calls for Bafana to play against the so-called top nations as part of the preparations for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Local football's governing body has managed to secure a mouthwatering match against one of the teams that will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America as the final preparatory game for Hugo Broos' side.
The Moroccan-French tactician opened up about their biggest rivals' chances of winning the most coveted trophy in the country following the Buccaneers' Carling Knockout success in Polokwane. Ouaddou, who won the September-October PSL Coach of the Month accolade, also discussed the department which needs strengthening with one of Bucs' players likely to leave the club next month.
The Sea Robbers continue to celebrate their majority presence in the national team squad that is heading to Morocco. Out of the 25 players named for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, nine are from the Soweto giants, although Mbekezeli Mbokazi has signed for Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. Until recently, Masandawana dominated Bafana, but the Sea Robbers have displaced them as the majority contributor.
PSL's top three clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, are naturally monitoring the talented player's situation, having raided the Winelands side for stars over the years. The highly rated forward will see his contract expire at the end of the season, and this means he is free to sign a pre-contract with a club of his choice from January 1.
The 24-year-old has experienced a career-changing run in the few months since joining the Sea Robbers, winning the MTN8 Cup and, more recently, the Carling Knockout Cup. After showcasing impressive form for his club, earning a call-up for the Zambia international friendly clash, and making it to the preliminary South Africa squad, there were hopes he would be part of the travelling team to Morocco—but that did not materialise.
The 20-year-old Bafana Bafana international has been excellent for both the Buccaneers and the national team despite making his debut in top football in March under the then Bucs tactician Jose Riveiro. He will now be playing in the Major League Soccer in the United States after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The January Transfer window is a couple of weeks ago, meaning the Premier Soccer League teams have already started identifying players to reinforce their respective squads ahead of the second half of the campaign. Usuthu and the Mswenko Boys are among the South African top-tier outfits expected to strengthen.
The 21-year-old South Africa international has rediscovered his form in a critical time as the country hopes Hugo Broos' men will defy the odds to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that will be staged in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. The versatile attacker helped the Buccaneers win another trophy last weekend.
The Buccaneers coach used the example of his own playing career to encourage the young defender to seize the opportunity at Chicago Fire knowing he had helped the Bucs to top the league and win two trophies already this season.
While he was in charge of the Saudi Pro League side, the tactician said he was interested in signing the South African star. However, due to challenges, the move did not materialise in the end. The experienced tactician also revealed that he is impressed by how Bucs have managed to sign deals with clubs from the Middle East despite the difficulties involved.
The Buccaneers winger was named as the best player on the pitch after they defeated Marumo Gallants 1-0 in the final of the Beer Cup at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. However, his award that comes with R100,000 sparked debate as some fans believed other players performed better than him as the Soweto giants claimed their second trophy of the season.
Given the regularity with which Hugo Broos has called him up, the Bafana forward is tipped to be among the players that will be taken to the global finals. This will be Nkota's biggest platform to showcase his talent to the world after his breakthrough season at Pirates. Now, a Mzansi legend, who starred in the 1998 finals in France, has thrown a challenge to him.
The versatile attacker has peaked ahead of the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which is good news for coach Hugo Broos and the entire South Africa at large, owing to his impact on the pitch. Despite being just 21, the Bafana Bafana star has won the Buccaneers several domestic titles owing to his quality in the final third.
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.
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