The situation at the Glamour Boys has been unbearable for the fans owing to the four straight losses across all competitions. Some of the key players have been missing in action, with reports indicating that the technical team, led by co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, omitted them from recent assignments owing to breach of contract.
There have been questions about the availability and fitness of the 'Master Chef' who has been used sparingly by the Sea Robbers after the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Bafana Bafana. The Buccaneers have been relying on other players in midfield despite the quality of the former Mamelodi Sundowns star who joined the club at the beginning of the season.
Following a string of incidents in the mid-week fixtures various coaches have lashed out at the Premier Soccer League's officiating standards. With calls for VAR introduction reaching fever pitch, AmaZulu FC's Arthur Zwane has joined the growing chorus of dissatisfied tacticians clamouring for improvement.
The 48-year-old has already had two coaching stints in Europe, although as a backroom staff member. He also built his coaching reputation through spells in the Premier Soccer League and is now in his first role as a national team head coach with Kenya.
The Buccaneers striker has been set a daunting challenge to find his shooting boots in the PSL title run in, with a club legend suggesting a traditional intervention is required. Since arriving from Richards Bay FC at the start of the current campaign, the 24-year-old has found himself under the microscope as he attempts to lead the line for one of Africa’s most demanding fanbases. While his return of seven goals and three assists from 21 appearances is respectable, the standard at the Buccaneers remains sky-high.
The Sea Robbers managed a slim victory at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium to earn points that firmly keep them in the Premier Soccer League title. However, the match was overshadowed by a controversy; the referee initially pointed to the penalty spot for a Bucs penalty, only to overturn the decision after consultation with his assistant. The Buccaneers coach has now revealed what he thinks of the decision.
The Premier Soccer League title race is fast turning into a two-horse race between the Buccaneers and Mamelodi Sundowns. But even then, some are ready to put their money on Masandawana winning the race again despite the Ghost showing a strong interest in the title. One of those who is sceptical about the Sea Robbers winning the league is the Polokwane City coach, and he has his reasons.
The 27-year-old began the season in scintillating form for the Buccaneers, a run that earned him a recall to the national team and a place in the squad for the 2025 AFCON finals. However, his fortunes have dipped since returning from the continental tournament, with his form and game time coming under scrutiny. His agent has since claimed the player is being frozen out for other reasons than his performances on the pitch.
Both Masandawana and the Sea Robbers have been doing well in the race for the league crown, where they are both on 44 points from the 19 games played so far. Some stakeholders feel this is the time when the Buccaneers can beat the Brazilians to the title and end their decade-long dominance, where they have been crowned eight times in a row.
The Soweto giants have been struggling in recent matches, piling more pressure on their already embattled technical team. The disappointing results have deepened concerns as frustration continues to grow among supporters. Amakhosi now risk finishing the season empty-handed and could even fall outside the top eight, missing out on an MTN8 berth for next season.
The Sea Robbers had to rely on a late show to overcome a stubborn Rise and Shine outfit, with second-half strikes from Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi doing the damage. However, the wet and uneven conditions made life difficult for the Soweto giants, leading Ouaddou to question why a Premier Soccer League fixture was not moved to the modern World Cup venue situated right next door.
The Ghost survived a scare against Rise and Shine in Limpopo but will be happy to go back home with a narrow victory from the match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday. More importantly for the Soweto giants, they are still at the summit of the Premier Soccer League log.
The 48-year-old is currently the head coach of the Kenya national team and remains strongly linked with several clubs, including Kaizer Chiefs. He was also touted as a possible successor to Jose Riveiro at Orlando Pirates before the Buccaneers settled for Abdeslam Ouaddou.
The suspensions have come at quite a critical moment for Amakhosi, who desperately need to return to winning ways before things get even worse. One of the suspended stars just came from an injury, and he will not be available to offer his experience as the Glamour Boys tackle their next league opponents. The Soweto giants will host Durban City at the FNB Stadium on Sunday, March 15.
As Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef struggle to stabilise the boat, questions have been asked about whether the co-coaches are the right people for the job. Initially, they appeared to be on the right course when the Glamour Boys reached the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup. However, recent results have been negative, throwing the duo under the spotlight again.
There have been questions raised about some decisions made in the South African top tier, some of which have cost teams trophies as well as points. SAFA, alongside the Premier Soccer League management, has been working in conjunction with the government to improve the situation of football in the country.
The 25-year-old versatile defender joined the Soweto giants in the off-season transfer window from Portuguese second-tier outfit Alverca to help in strengthening the then Nasreddine Nabi-led Amakhosi. However, he has endured a lengthened spell on the sidelines owing to the technical team's preferences and partly owing to injuries.
The PSL has officially confirmed the first set of its Monthly Awards winners for the second half of the season. The Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Orlando Pirates sensation, and Kaizer Chiefs forward have all been recognised for their outstanding contributions during the January–February period.
The Soweto giants are having a nightmare as they continue struggling to get results in competitive outings. Despite the massive signings made in the off-season transfer window, the Glamour Boys are almost guaranteed a trophyless 2025/26 season. They are trailing the league leaders by 11 points following the most recent defeat. And, the club's fans are making their feelings clear about the position Amakhosi find themselves in.
The Glamour Boys have been struggling to deliver across all competitions, crashing out of the Nedbank Cup, CAF Confederation Cup, and are now limping in the South African top-flight football. The technical team and the Amakhosi management are now feeling the pressure from their supporters, who are demanding answers.
The alarm bells are ringing louder than ever at Naturena as Amakhosi's season is spiralling out of control after a dismal 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Natal Rich Boyz on Tuesday evening. And judging by the game metrics, it was their worst, most sterile performance under their current co-coaches' setup, leading to fans calling for Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef to leave the club.
The Soweto giants entered this encounter under heavy pressure after back-to-back defeats, and their concerns deepened with a pre-match blow as Inacio Miguel was ruled out injured. Amakhosi fans briefly had something to cheer about with Nkanyiso Shinga making his debut, but that optimism was short-lived as he was forced off injured. In the end, the result only added to their growing frustrations.
Amakhosi fans are frustrated following their team's poor run in the last five outings across all competitions. The Soweto giants are at risk of ending the season trophyless after falling short in the Carling Knockout, Nedbank Cup, and, most recently, CAF Confederation Cup. Their only hope is in the Premier Soccer League, where they are facing stiff competition from Orlando Pirates and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers will host the Natal Rich Boyz at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Wednesday. The KwaZulu-Natal side will come in high on confidence, having secured three points against Kaizer Chiefs in their last league match. However, for the Sea Robbers, every point is crucial at this stage, and they are laser-focused on the title race, while the visitors are striving to climb the standings and secure a coveted top-eight finish.
The 61-year-old may have delivered a golden era of silverware at Al Ahly, but the South African tactician still has high-ranking detractors in Cairo. Despite a trophy cabinet bulging from his 21-month stint with the Red Devils, former Managing Director of Sport Mohsen Saleh has launched a scathing attack on the coach's credentials and his eventual departure from the Egyptian giants.
The Glamour Boys faithful are reeling in pain as Amakhosi struggle to rediscover the mid-season form that saw them get positive results. The climax of it all was last weekend when they conceded three without reply against the Buccaneers at the FNB Stadium. The defeat has lowered the expectations of their fans, who anticipated a PSL title tilt.
Richards Bay
