The Brazilians head coach has offered a glass-half-full assessment of South Africa’s chances at the upcoming quadrennial tournament. As Hugo Broos' men prepare to return to the global stage in North America, the Portuguese tactician believes the national team has the quality to progress beyond the opening round.
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit remains on course to win their first major trophy after reaching the final of South Africa's biggest knockout competition. They now wait for the winner between TS Galaxy and Milford FC, who clash in another semi-final match.
The former Bucs skipper has opened up on the meteoric rise of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, recalling the training sessions where the youngster first showcased his talent. The 20-year-old sensation has rapidly progressed from a Buccaneers prospect to a key figure for Bafana Bafana and a marquee signing for MLS outfit Chicago Fire.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions collected vital points on Friday to underline their ambition in the ongoing 2025/26 edition of the South African top-flight football. The Sea Robbers have been doing quite well in Mzansi in their bid to stop the Brazilians from another triumph.
Hugo Broos sees the Sea Robbers' youngster as a creative player who can have a major impact behind the strikers, a role Mshishi has been playing for South Africa. The 21-year-old has made an impact for the Soweto giants when being placed centrally as opposed to wide areas.
South Africa struggled to take their chances in the recent two international friendly outings against Panama, where they drew 1-1 and lost 2-1 respectively. Lyle Foster and Evidence Makgopa were not convincing just two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Bucs right winger has shared the emotional burden of a deeply personal loss that has affected his early months at the club. While fans have been eager to see the Zimbabwean international hit top form, the 25-year-old has been quietly coping with a situation that puts football into perspective.
The two nations met in two friendlies during the FIFA international break to continue preparations for the prestigious global competition to be held jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. South Africans were left frustrated by the results posted by their national team with barely two months to go.
With the player's current deal entering the last months, it means he will be allowed to enter into negotiations with other clubs if a deal is not reached with Bucs. The defender has established himself as a key member of the playing unit, meaning the Sea Robbers' hierarchy will do all it can to keep him at the club for longer.
The current AIK Fotboll manager did extremely well during his time with the Buccaneers before opting against extending his stay with the Soweto giants. The Spaniard chose another challenge in Egypt with heavyweights Al Ahly, but things didn't go as anticipated. He is currently in Sweden where he is helping one of the most successful teams in the country.
The Burnley star led Bafana Bafana's attacking line against Panama on Friday but failed to deliver. He was one of the players who were highly criticised, especially because of the chances he wasted. After the friendly encounter, doubts arise whether the 25-year-old striker is capable of delivering for Mzansi in the World Cup.
The World Cup fever is rising every day even though the actual action will start in three months' time. Every team always has star players, and in the South African case, President Yama 2000 is one of them. The Bucs star is relatively young, but expectations on him are always high, as many expect him to carry the team.
Debate is already raging about who will succeed Lucas Ribeiro Costa as the Premier Soccer League’s best player. With the 2025/26 season approaching its conclusion, the league’s top performers are beginning to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Their decisive contributions in the final stretch could ultimately determine who claims the honour.
Premier Soccer League action is currently on a pause due to the FIFA international break. The Buccaneers went into the break in high spirits after hammering TS Galaxy with half a dozen goals just before the stoppage. That emphatic victory is expected to give the Buccaneers renewed momentum when domestic football resumes.
The Moroccan has sometimes never hidden his disappointment when he fumes during post-match interviews after his players miss clear-cut chances. This has happened even in matches where the Buccaneers go on to win by a comfortable margin. Yet despite his frustration, the Soweto giants remain the highest-scoring side in the Premier Soccer League.
When the Belgian omitted the Bucs star ahead of the Panama friendlies, the move raised eyebrows. Chaine has been Bafana's second-choice keeper, but his place in the national team is now debatable. Broos's decision was shocking, as it came at a time when the goalkeeper was doing relatively well at club level.
The Buccaneer was part of the squad that represented the country in the Africa Cup of Nations, although he did not play. He was also included in the preliminary team that was named before Hugo Broos trimmed it to 23 players ahead of the Panama friendlies. His omission has raised questions on whether the coach has lost trust in him and if he will be considered for a place in the World Cup line-up.
The Sea Robbers have made remarkable improvements in the last couple of years in their bid to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns, especially in the Premier Soccer League. The Spaniard tactician Jose Riveiro, alongside his technical team, finished second in three consecutive campaigns. Abdeslam Ouaddou has continued from where his predecessor left off.
The Khayelitsa-born defender has opened up on how he has adapted his leadership style while navigating a lengthy spell out. The central defender has been out of action since the beginning of the 2025/26 league campaign following a traumatic road traffic accident that sent him back on the sidelines after also struggling for fitness last season.
There has been a massive debate about the 21-year-old who has been playing either wide or centrally. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, questions have been asked about the best role for 'President ya ma 2k' as he is commonly referred to, since he can create and finish as his overall stats show.
The South Africa international has been excellent on the pitch in recent outings, where he has been directly involved in his club's 10 league goals in the last 10 outings. Meanwhile, the former Esperance tactician had a good month where he managed to turn Masandawana's fortunes around both domestically and in Africa.
The Sea Robbers have not been getting enough goals when compared to the chances that they have been creating, as Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa have not been clinical enough. The Buccaneers have been asked to consider an experienced forward who has won everything in South African football.
The Bafana Bafana international was seen as surplus to requirements by the Buccaneers' coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who prefers Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa. However, under the former Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt, the forward is enjoying his game once again, hoping to steer Stellies to finish in the top eight.
The Sea Robbers have been consistent for the most part of the season domestically, where they have already won the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout. They are now chasing the South African top-flight crown a couple of months after a heartbreaking elimination from the Nedbank Cup by surprise package Casric Stars.
The Bucs' coaching unit welcomes a new face following the arrival of the experienced analyst who also worked in the recruitment department in his former club. After bagging two domestic trophies, the Sea Robbers hope to win the Premier Soccer League title this season and even more glory in the future. To write more success, the playing unit and the technical bench need figures who can help the club achieve the set ambitions.
The towering Buccaneer was a shock signing for Stellies in the January transfer window following his struggles with the Soweto giants. Abdeslam Ouaddou had opted to use the likes of Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa, who he felt were more valuable. The Bafana Bafana international has seemingly managed to regain his form.
Richards Bay
