GOAL gives you the details to follow the Soweto giants' trip to Polokwane for a Premier Soccer League date with Babina Noko at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. It is the Buccaneers' first match of 2026, and they would want to build on the momentum they left off last year, as they showed seriousness in their fight for the league title. They come up against a team that beat them in their first PSL match of the season in October 2025.
The South African winger is enjoying his football again after struggles with Orlando Pirates and the defending Premier Soccer League champions. The 32-year-old delivered in the Botola Pro League before inviting suitors from other countries. Nyoso is now set for a new challenge, hoping to sustain his form.
Masandawana's quest to get maximum points against Blue Wave was unsuccessful as they ended up not capitalising on the home ground advantage. This was their second game in a row in Group C that they have failed to collect maximum points following their 0-0 draw with MC Alger of Rhulani Mokwena in Matchday two. The Brazilians have now managed a win and two draws in their pool.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions have been working hard to ensure they retain their quality players. Masandawana are hoping to retain their South African top-flight crown despite winning it for the last eight seasons in a row. Furthermore, the Brazilians hope to make a statement in the Nedbank Cup as well as the CAF Champions League.
The Buccaneers return to action after the 2025 AFCON break with a tricky Premier Soccer League trip to Polokwane, where they face Babina Noko at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. The Buccaneers are out to reclaim the two-point cushion they held before the break, having been knocked off the summit after Mamelodi Sundowns shot to the top on Monday. Adding spice to the encounter, they come up against one of only two sides to have beaten them in the league this season.
The experienced South African tactician has revisited his time with Al Ahly and said the African football governing body denied him a chance to make history with the Egyptian giants. The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician led the Red Devils to three Champions League finals but lost the third one. Now he has pointed fingers at those he said are to blame.
The 32-year-old midfielder is again on the move but remains in North Africa. The latest developments come after reports emerged that a deal is in the pipeline for the former Orlando Pirates man to go to Libya. This comes after he started the season on a high note for the Moroccan giants, as he justified their decision to sign him permanently when Rhulani Mokwena wanted him at MC Alger.
The two-year tradition is set to end after the 2028 edition, and the decision to shift the continental tournament continues to attract criticism and applause almost in equal measure. For long, African football fans knew that the competition would be held biennially, and this wait will be prolonged given the recent decision made and announced by CAF's president, Patrice Motsepe. Now, one of Africa's most experienced and most respected coaches has shared his concerns, blasting the people in charge at CAF.
Masandawana are set to face one of their toughest challenges so far in the competition, as they are about to tackle an unbeaten opponent. The Pretoria giants resumed their campaign this year with a convincing win over Orbit College in the Premier Soccer League, and now the focus is on the continental campaign. The PSL heavyweights know they must make use of home advantage and open the gap in Group C, thus boosting their chance of reaching the knockout stage.
The Brazilians are back to continue with their bid to be crowned African champions for the first time since 2016 and they welcome their Sudanese opponents to Loftus Versfeld on Friday. Important for Masandawana is maintaining their Group C lead as they host a team they are tied on four points with, as goal difference separates the two sides.
The Buccaneers began the year at the summit of the Premier Soccer League standings but have since been dislodged by Mamelodi Sundowns, who now hold a slender lead. Despite losing top spot, the Soweto giants remain firmly in the title race and are gearing up to resume their challenge. Attention now shifts to this weekend as the Soweto giants return to league action and their Moroccan coach could hand competitive debuts to some of the club’s new signings when they face Sekhukhune United on Saturday.
Amakhosi have released two players in the ongoing short January transfer window, hoping they get regular play-time to stand a chance of featuring for the senior team in the future. The Glamour Boys have not added any big names to their playing unit despite chasing major titles. Interestingly, both Masandawana and Bucs have brought in new faces.
In a bid to allow some of their players to leave and get playtime, Bucs have released the two to their stars' league rivals. In the off-season transfer window, the Sea Robbers signed more than 10 players, and their strengthening mission has also continued in the mid-season window. With a huge playing squad, it is natural that some players will play more than others, and the fringe ones have been sent out on short-term deals.
After selling their prized asset, the Rockets managed a convincing win in their first game without the South African player. The attacker left the club and signed for Chicago Fire in the Major Soccer League, and his former team looked solid despite missing his vital services. The challenge for Galaxy now is whether they can keep the tempo or they will falter on the road and miss Dithejane's creativity in the final third.
In a bid to boost their prospect of finishing in the top eight bracket, the club is hoping to strengthen their squad in order to achieve their ambition. Among the players they want to bring on board is an attacker who was sharpened at the Bucs' academy. The need for a lethal attacking department has been made even more urgent after Puso Dithejane left.
The Western Cape team picked up crucial points on Tuesday evening with a victory over Sekhukhune United on their home turf, slowly moving themselves out of the relegation danger zone. The result marked former Kaizer Chiefs coach's first win in charge and a positive start to his tenure, although he was quick to raise fitness concerns regarding the players from Tshwane.
Since he was a teenager, the forward showed the potential of developing into a top player. Now, just 21, after making his presence felt in the Premier Soccer League, the South African star is set for an entirely new challenge after signing for Chicago Fire. Even before he was signed by the Major Soccer League side, he was a subject of intense interest from PSL giants Amakhosi and Masandawana.
The Citizens have introduced new additions to the KwaZulu-Natal team on a loan from Babina Noko, aiming to inject new energy into their attack. With the team hoping to make an impression of finishing inside the top eight, all eyes will be on the duo to see if they can hit the ground running and help Sinethemba Badela' side to make a statement in Mzansi’s top flight.
The Buccaneers forward delivered a statement performance on his maiden appearance for the Cape Winelands club. His crucial contribution in the Maroons' shirt on his first game is likely to spark debate about whether the Soweto giants made a mistake in releasing him to spend the rest of the season away from the club.
After dropping four points from a possible six before the Premier Soccer League went on a break, Amakhosi resumed their campaign with a win. Although they were wasteful, especially in the first half, the win and a clean sheet are good enough to set a positive tone ahead of more crucial games coming up. Abafana Bes'thende returned home more worried as their winless run in the league extended to four games in a row.
The winger completed a surprise move to the Brazilians from the Soweto giants, catching many off guard, including Masandawana players and Orbit College FC where he was on loan. The transfer was finalised while Orbit College heavily relied on him as a key figure in the team in their bid to maintain their Premier Soccer League status for next season. However, he will have to wait a bit longer before making his Masandawana debut.
The West African player, who made his name at Young Africans in Tanzania before he moved north, could be on his way out after another North African club is reported to be ready to sign him. Despite making a reported big money transfer from Tanzania to Morocco, the forward has not quite settled with the Moroccan heavyweights.
The 19-year-old burst onto the big stage impressively and has underlined Masandawana’s depth at left-back. His presence and performances could pose a huge challenge to more established players, including Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ first-choice option and Divine Lunga. With Fawaaz Basadien and Asekho Tiwani also in the mix, competition for a regular place in that position is set to intensify at Chloorkop.
The forward is the latest South African talent to cross the borders and sign for a foreign club, ready for the challenges that come with the move. Having made an impressive mark in the Premier Soccer League, he now has an opportunity to test his ability in a different environment against a different kinds of opponent. For the star, it is a career progression, and for the PSL club, it was an opportunity to cash in on one of their prized assets.
The former Esperance coach has been under massive pressure owing to Masandawana's struggles, especially in the Premier Soccer League as well as the other domestic competitions. 'Jingles' has been heavily linked with a return to the Brazilians to help in shaping the squad, but the Portuguese tactician has rubbished the speculation.
The Tshwane giants bounced back to winning ways and reclaimed Premier Soccer League top spot right on their return from the 2025 AFCON break with a result stating their intentions in their bid for a ninth straight title. Their Portuguese coach started what looked like a second-string side before throwing in familiar names in the second half. But they still managed to see off the challenge of their visitors from Limpopo.
Sekhukhune United
