Sundowns’ shot-stopper has faced heavy criticism after failing to clear a threatening attack that resulted in the Pretoria side settling for a single point in a 1-1 draw against the Bloemfontein outfit. The costly moment saw the Brazilians heading into the Premier Soccer League mid-break in second place on the log table, leaving them in an unfamiliar predicament.
The Chloorkop outfit missed out on an opportunity to return to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings on Wednesday night, coming from behind only to settle for a 1-1 draw against Siwelele FC at the Dr. Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, leaving the Buccaneers well-positioned to close out the first half of the 2025/26 league campaign with a significant advantage.
The former Esperance tactician saw the defending Premier Soccer League champions struggle to break down their opponents in the South African top-flight football on Wednesday night. The Brazilians are now guaranteed to end the year behind Orlando Pirates, who have had a good run domestically across all competitions.
The Premier Soccer League campaign is taking shape, and before the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals break, the favourites to win the race have been picked out. A PSL winner has tipped his former side as one of those with a high probability of conquering the league. However, the Soweto giants, despite their promising run so far, have been ruled out.
The Brazilians once again dropped points in the South African top-flight football in the midweek assignment that has guaranteed Orlando Pirates the top spot until the league resumes in January. The defending champions had to do without a key player in the last 10 minutes following the sending-off of Teboho Mokoena.
The majority of the teams are working hard to realise their objectives, with the Premier Soccer League table taking shape ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break scheduled from late December to mid-January next year. One of the sides that have been doing well are Babina Noko, who are surprising many with their run in the league.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions knew they had no option but to beat their hosts to replace Orlando Pirates, who are not in action as they are preparing for the Carling Knockout final against Marumo Gallants on Saturday. The Brazilians hope to win their ninth South African top-flight football title in a row.
GOAL gives you the details to follow Madandawana's visit to Bloemfontein to face Siwelele on Wednesday. The Brazilians will be at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium as they push to return to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings. Orlando Pirates currently occupy top spot but the Tshwane giants have an opportunity to end the year on a high with victory in Mangaung.
Mamelodi Sundowns return to Premier Soccer League action after nearly a month after making way following the Carling Knockout semi-finals, the FIFA break and then focusing on CAF Champions League commitments. The Brazilians were knocked off the PSL top spot by Orlando Pirates last weekend. However, they can reclaim top position with a win over Siwelele FC at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Wednesday and head into the AFCON break firmly in control of the title race.
The Glamour Boys are yet to find convincing results in their CAF Confederations Cup group campaign. They opened their account with a 2–1 defeat to Al Masry in Egypt, before managing only a single point in their home fixture against Zamalek on Saturday — a match in which they had hoped to capitalise on home advantage.
Interestingly, in both encounters, Chiefs’ only moments of real threat came from an unexpected source, with right-back Dillan Solomons popping up as the unlikely goal contributor.
The Bucs vice-captain has been one of the standout performers in the Premier Soccer League, firmly cementing his place in the Buccaneers’ camp while also making waves in the Bafana Bafana setup as a reliable centre-back. His performances have spoken for themselves, and it comes as no surprise that he is now heavily linked with a move to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
It was another day for a former Pirates star to play a crucial role in helping Gallants collect a point, and his display earned him Man of the Match recognition. Meanwhile, the draw means Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have extended their winless run to five games in regulation time. PSL is expected to run for weeks before it goes on a break to allow selected players to join their national teams for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
The Buccaneers, three points clear of Masandawana at the summit, stretched their unbeaten league run to 10 matches with a decisive 2‑0 victory over Durban City. The clash, played on Saturday, 29 November, marked their final Premiership outing of 2025, sending Pirates into the Africa Cup of Nations break firmly in contention for the title.
The South African tactician explains why MC Alger feels disappointed after managing to get a point against Masandawana during their second group game at Ali La Pointe Stadium. The 38-year-old coach has explained which side between MC Alger and his former team deserved the win on Friday. The game gave Mokwena's team their first group point this season after an initial loss to Al Hilal.
The new signing finally earned his start for the Soweto giants, who were held to a draw in Polokwane by the Egyptian heavyweights. The technical bench probably wanted to tap into Maboe's experience on the continental stage as Chiefs engaged in their second Confederation Cup group game. After the match, the former Masandawana midfielder has been assessed.
The Buccaneers are riding high after climbing to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings, three points clear of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Their rise was sealed from a decisive 2‑0 victory over Durban City at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 29 November, a result that confirmed Pirates’ place at the summit.
By picking up yet another win, the Sea Robbers are building up perfect momentum for the Carling Knockout Cup final against Marumo Gallants. Against Durban City, players showed individual brilliance and team brilliance, a testament that Abdeslam Ouadou's rotation policy could be working. Although they started the season struggling, the Sea Robbers have made their way to the top of the Premier Soccer League standings and are now sending a clear signal that they are serious title contenders.
While Sundowns dropped points for the first time at the group stage, MC Alger gained a point after an initial loss to Al Hilal. This was a crucial match for both Downs and Mokwena, as they met for the first time since parting ways over one year ago. Masandawana remain at the top of the table, but that could change depending on the result of the other group games.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions continued their continental journey on Friday, 28 November, travelling to Stade Ali Ammar Dit Ali La Ponite with the aim of extending their winning start in the CAF Champions League. The Brazilians had opened their group stage campaign in style last weekend, securing a 3-1 victory over Saint Eloi Lupopo at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
After a convincing win at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Masandawana are in North Africa looking for a second group win that will help them consolidate their position at the top of the table. This is not an ordinary game for Downs; it is an emotional one, given that they will face their former coach, Rhulani Mokwena. For Mokwena, this is an even more important game because he will need to win after losing their group opening match.
The 38-year-old is set for an emotional CAF Inter-Club outing on Friday against Masandawana, aware that a win will be vital in his bid to win the elusive trophy. However, the South African tactician will have to face the Premier Soccer League outfits without several key players who have been delivering for the club.
The Tshwane giants travel to Algeria, where they will battle it out at the Ali La Pointe Stadium on Friday evening against their former coach Rhulani Mokwena, whose side is wounded after a disappointing start to the CAF Champions League group stage. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns supporters remain divided — some still yearning for Mokwena’s return due to dissatisfaction with current coach Miguel Cardoso, while others hope this clash will prove that the former Orlando Pirates mentor was not necessarily the ideal candidate either.
However, once the whistle blows, all off-field debates fall aside, as both teams will be equally tested in their pursuit of crucial group-stage points.
Once more, the Amakhosi product was a shining star for Galaxy as he scored and provided an assist. The goalless draw will add more pressure on former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt, as Durban City have failed to return to winning ways. The PSL debutants have only one win in the last five games across all competitions and were recently eliminated from the Carling Knockout.
All of the Premier Soccer League's Big Three won in Round 12 of the season, with the two Soweto clubs putting in statement wins that will have the Chloorkop faithful starting to worry about their ninth league title in a row. There were standout performers in those matches and across the other mid-week fixtures in the final domestic league games before the international break.
A former Kaizer Chiefs head coach masterminded a slim win for his side courtesy of a goal struck by an ex-Mamelodi Sundowns star. It was also good news for the Bucs' legend, whose side registered a win and a clean sheet against their rivals. For Barker, the loss will leave him in a more precarious situation, even though he has guided the Maroons to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
With several new signings still to be properly integrated with the squad, the veteran midfielder has called on the club's supporters to be patient and believes it is only a matter of time until The Brazilians hit the levels they know they are capable of.
Siwelele
