The tactician has been under incredible pressure as the Tshwane giants struggle to impose themselves as compared to previous seasons. Already, the Brazilians failed to win the Nedbank Cup, the Carling Knockout, and the MTN8, meaning their ambitions of lifting multiple trophies are not tenable. Masandawana's inconsistency raises more questions about whether they are competitive enough to win the PSL and CAF Champions League.
The duel between South Africa's football giants is set to grab the limelight as the Premier Soccer League rivals from Soweto clash on Saturday. Both Amakhosi and the Buccaneers will need the points from the game to boost their chances of winning the league title. Apart from the three points up for grabs, the Sea Robbers and the Glamour Boys will be fighting for the fixture's bragging rights.
The Brazilians are chasing the Premier Soccer League crown as well as the CAF Champions League after the recent loss to TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup's Round of 16. Fringe players were given a chance to prove their worth but ended up struggling against the Rockets to crash out of the annual domestic competition.
The 27-year-old last played a competitive football match in November 2025 while on loan at Orbit College from Orlando Pirates. He was apparently playing while carrying a thigh injury that flared up again after his shock move to Chloorkop in January. Now, as February draws to a close, rumours have started swirling about why the winger has yet to make an appearance in a match day squad at Masandawana.
Brazilians returned to the top of the Premier Soccer League table after edging Usuthu 1-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday. As the match appeared to be headed for a goalless draw, the Chilean rose from the bench to grab the only goal of the match and spark wild celebrations from Masandawana, who were staring at another humiliating outing following the Nedbank Cup exit.
The Brazilians went into their Nedbank Cup Round of 16 tie against TS Galxy brimming with confidence after qualifying for the CAF Champions League quarter finals, and beating league title rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1. But the coach fielded a side full of fringe players who were undone by the Rockets to crash out of the Nedbank Cup. Now Sello Mahlangu has lashed out at the coach and his decision making.
The domestic competition is set to have a new winner after the defending champions, Kaizer Chiefs, were eliminated. The Round of 16 matches concluded on Sunday with more teams booking their places in the quarter-final. Babina Noko, who are also mathematically in the Premier Soccer League title race, progressed in this knockout competition.
When the Rockets revealed that their match against the Tshwane giants will be hosted at a ground situated about 73 km from Pretoria, there were murmurs. In a packed Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, the Mpumalanga-based outfit knocked out Masandawana. Consequently, Miguel Cardoso's side saw their dream of claiming a domestic Cup this season end after earlier setbacks in the Carling Knockout and MTN8.
Even as the Masandawana coach rotates his squad to keep the team fresh, the former Stellenbosch FC star still struggles for regular game time. Despite the Brazilians blowing hot and cold, competition for places remains fierce, limiting his match opportunities. Having travelled to the United States with the Tshwane giants last June, he now hopes to make the trip again, but this time with the South Africa national soccer team.
Masandawana's inconsistency this season was exposed again after falling to the Rockets in a domestic knockout competition. After two consecutive morale-boosting wins against Orlando Pirates and MC Alger, many expected the Tshwane giants to sweep their cup rivals aside, but that was not the case. The elimination is set to add more pressure on the coach at a time the season is heading towards a vital period.
As the season nears its end, football fans, former players, and coaches have their predictions, but a former Bafana Bafana international believes every team still has a chance, noting that the goals flowing in the 2025/26 season have not gone unnoticed. The traditional Big Three are in the title race mix, but who will have the last laugh when the campaign concludes?
The experienced midfield maestro spent much of his time with clubs in France, Denmark, and Turkey. However, when he came back to the country, his ambition was to pen a deal with the Naturena heavyweights, but it did not happen. He ended up signing for Amakhosi's rivals in the Premier Soccer League.
The Brazilians faced off against the Buccaneers in the unfamiliar role of slight underdogs at the iconic FNB Stadium on Wednesday night in a crucial Premier Soccer League outing. However, at the final whistle, it was the Pretoria-based team who walked away with maximum points against their hosts, who should have done better with a slew of chances, especially in the first half. Afterwards, the Portuguese tactician was glowing in his praise for his side and what the result does to their title ambitions.
The 53-year-old former Esperance tactician is seemingly getting it right at Masandawana after a heavy storm in the initial games. After just two outings in five days across all competitions, the Brazilians are in the CAF Champions League quarter-final and are now just three points behind the Buccaneers in the Premier Soccer League title race with a game in hand.
When Andre De Jong moved from Stellenbosch to the Buccaneers he promised to help them win the Premier Soccer League crown. Now, on the eve of their crucial showdown with current champions Mamelodi Sundowns, the 29-year-old has revealed an extra motivation for joining the club.
After a difficult week rocked by spying allegations against analyst Mario Masha for allegedly leaking tactical information to Rhulani Mokwena, Madsandawana rose to the occasion with a crucial victory over the Algerian side that kept their CAF Champions League campaign alive.
After engaging in the Nedbank Cup campaign, teams turned their focus to the Premier Soccer League campaign. Orlando Pirates widened the gap at the top with a win over Marumo Gallants, while Babina Noko's result affected Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns, who were focused on their respective CAF campaigns. At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is heating up.
Babina Noko goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner has come out with a bold statement of intent that his Limpopo-based side are looking to 'win all our remaining games' and put their hands on, not one, but both of the domestic trophies still available to them.
The Natal Rich Boys join other clubs, including Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, in the next phase of a competition where a new champion is expected. Defending champions Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated as the remaining teams continue chasing the CAF Confederation Cup ticket by winning the annual competition.
Teams in the Premier Soccer League are chasing the CAF Confederation Cup ticket for the 2026/27 edition by virtue of winning the annual competition. It is promising to be a competitive assignment as top dogs are also hoping to win the cash prize as well as the glory associated with the competition. In the last three editions, the tournament has been won by the Soweto giants.
The Chilli Boys boosted their chances of survival after they recorded their back-to-back league victory. In a four-goal thriller, Orbit College and Polokwane City shared points in a match where a record in the league was also broken. Babina Noko recovered to keep themselves in a title mix by beating the Rockets after a difficult start to the year 2026.
The Buccaneers faithful have witnessed the value of having a game in hand. After the Mayfair-based side was ridiculed and tipped to drop points following their opening fixture, the Soweto outfit responded emphatically on Saturday evening, producing a commanding display to secure a convincing three points.
The 40-year-old legendary Masandawana custodian has started the last two games for the Brazilians. However, he was shaky on Friday as the Premier Soccer League giants suffered their first CAF Champions League defeat this season against the Blue Wave. The club's coach has since updated on the Bafana Bafana's captain situation.
In the PSL mid-season transfer, clubs get another chance to strengthen their squads ahead of another gruelling remainder of the campaign. Although many clubs bought new players before the season began, the mid-season window gave them a chance to get the right players to strengthen further until Thursday, January 29, when it came to a close.
The race for the South African top-tier crown is interesting as the top dogs continue to get positive results. Apart from the Brazilians, who have won the last eight editions, the Buccaneers are determined to beat them to the prize in this edition. However, the Glamour Boys and Babina Nko have shown they can also win it.
With a demanding schedule facing the Pretoria-based side, Masandawana coach Miguel Cardoso has had the opportunity to dig deep into his squad—an approach that saw a Bafana Bafana centre-back make his first appearance for the Brazilians in their mid-week clash against Sekhukhune United.
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