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.
The Sea Robbers have had a strong run in domestic competitions this season, winning the two tournaments - MTN8 and the Carling Knockout, respectively. The Buccaneers are still determined to win the top-tier crown as well as the Nedbank Cup since they have what they need to go all the way. However, the supporters have been warned that nothing is guaranteed.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions are working hard to ensure they have enough depth. Apart from the domestic assignments, the Brazilians are hoping to win the CAF Champions League after falling in last season's final to Pyramids. Coach Miguel Cardoso is under pressure to deliver, explaining the new arrivals.
The win over Babina Noko came at a crucial time for the coach, who has been under immense pressure lately. The fans have expressed their dissatisfaction sometimes through protest and chants, and the club responded by issuing threats against such conduct. Although the performance in the Premier Soccer League has been positive, the manner in which the Brazilians win has raised questions, with some saying they are not as dominant as they were before, especially under Mosimane.
The Glamour Boys haven't been active in the January transfer window as opposed to the Brazilians and the Sea Robbers. The former have sharpened their defense and attack, while the Buccaneers have ensured they strengthen every department. It is not the same for Amakhosi, who haven't signed any experienced players to help them push for the top honours.
The Brazilians left it late to deny their hosts at least a point and break the hearts of Orlando Pirates fans who had hoped to see their team go top of the table with a win this weekend. However, it left a lot to be desired as the defending champions struggled to break Eric Tinkler's men at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The win opened a three-point gap ahead of second-placed Bucs.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions are known for their appetite for fine and quality players. They usually fight to retain those who add value to their squad hoping to continue dominating domestic football. The Brazilians are also determined to deliver on the continental assignments this season.
Tension between Downs and their fans' supporters continues to boil up because of the team's underwhelming performance. During the CAF Champions League game, which ended in a 2-2 draw at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, fans protested by chanting 'Pitso, Pitso. The club's sporting director was also subjected to harassment, and on Tuesday, Sundowns condemned those acts.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Benson Mhlongo has hit out at fans demanding the Portuguese coach's head after their 2-2 draw with Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League, insisting a mid-season switch would spell disaster.
With Masandawana struggling for consistent and impressive performance, the fans have expressed their frustrations in various ways, including blocking the team's bus in the past. After another frustrating outcome in the continental competition against the Sudanese giants, the club's head coach, Miguel Cardoso, and sporting director, Flemming Berg, were the targets of fans' protests. Now, the Pretoria-based outfit has vowed to take legal or disciplinary action against the fans involved in the incident reported on Friday.
After a frustrating draw at home against Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League, Masandawana have an opportunity to return to winning ways. The Tshwane giants are only at the top of the table courtesy of a superior goal difference over Orlando Pirates and cannot afford to drop points at this stage if they are not to complicate their chances of defending the league title. Already, the pressure is building up on head coach Miguel Cardoso, and rumours linking Pitso Mosimane with a return only add more uncertainty over his future at the club.
The defending champions will be playing Babina Noko for the first time this season at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. This is a massive game for Masandawana, who are aware that Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are also in the race for the title. Eric Tinkler's men have been doing well in the league as well.
Mokwena's trophy dream faced a new storm after a second loss in the continental competition. Now with just a point, MC Alger's ambition of reaching the knockout stage is uncertain after dropping points once again. According to the South African tactician, his side did not challenge their rivals, whom he says were simply the better team on the day.
The versatile midfielder was Amakhosi's transfer target before, but Masandawana decided to keep him although he has been struggling for game time. The Tshwane giants made sure they kept their quality stars in order to maintain their competitive edge and avoid strengthening their rivals by releasing their players to them. The Pretoria heavyweights have now been praised for keeping the midfielder by handing him a contract extension.
Clubs in the Premier Soccer League have resumed their domestic assignment after a couple of weeks on break owing to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Usuthu's bid to finish in the top eight again received a huge boost after their win, as Polokwane suffered a defeat after a four-match unbeaten streak.
The blow has come at a time when the South African's multiple-title dream was boosted by a domestic trophy won a few days ago. Although Mokwena's campaign on the domestic front looks promising, he has struggled to find good form in the continental competition. Now, his side is facing what looks like an imminent elimination from Africa's premier inter-club competition.
The league is taking an interesting turn as Masandawana try hard to close the gap between them and runaway Bucs. On the other hand, Amakhosi suffered a huge setback after they suffered a defeat after a rather long period of point collection.
Pressure is mounting on the Brazilians’ coach as he struggles to convince supporters that he can deliver success at the club. Having gone into the 2025 AFCON break already under fire from fans, the Portuguese tactician is back in the furnace after failing to beat the Sudanese giants on Friday. Now, his players are being accused of actions that could amount to sabotage.
After a shaky start earlier in the week, Babina Noko held the Sea Robbers to a goalless draw on Saturday - a performance that earned praise from the 55-year-old tactician. However, he also flagged concerns over the team’s consistency.
The Sea Robbers were in action against Babina Noko in the South African top-flight football on Saturday at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The Buccaneers have been in good form and were aiming to avenge the initial 1-0 defeat suffered. However, spoils were eventually shared as no team found the back of the net.
The 21-year-old South African attacker has been a key player for the Knight of Ad-Dahna since his shock move in the off-season transfer window. He was in action on Saturday as the Commandos collected vital points in the Saudi top-tier. The club is hoping to finish in the top positions at the end of the ongoing campaign.
The Sea Robbers failed to collect maximum points against Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, which saw them fail to get on top of the Premier Soccer League table. It is a slow start to the year, which was not anticipated by their faithful owing to their strong run in domestic competitions before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break.
Prior to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break, the Sea Robbers were the most in-form team domestically. Under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Buccaneers had won the MTN8, Carling Knockout and the Carling Black Label Cup while their rivals struggled to deliver. The main challenge is to sustain their run in the second half of the season.
After starting the year on a bright note with a 2-0 Premier Soccer League victory over Orbit College, the Brazilians then stumbled and dropped points at home in their continental fixture against the Sudanese giants. That piles more pressure on their Portuguese coach whose job appears to be on the line.
When it comes to the PSL title race, many pundits and soccer fanatics are always ready to bet on either Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates winning it but not Amakhosi. Since 2015, the Glamour Boys have never won the league, and last season they finished outside the top eight. This season, they have shown improvements, but do they have quality players to help them end the league title drought?
The 30-year-old was the subject of transfer talk before the start of the current season after missing training amid rumours he was pushing for a move overseas. Now he is back in the headlines during this January transfer window, this time being linked with Masandawana’s fierce rivals, the Buccaneers. The defender has since taken time to respond to the latest rumours.
Sekhukhune United
