The former midfielder has raised significant concerns about the club's recent run of form ahead of their high-stakes meeting with the log leaders. Despite a recent run of good form, the vocal pundit believes the Glamour Boys are still far from the level required to challenge the league's elite.
A former Amakhosi boss has launched a scathing critique of the Buccaneers tactician following the recent Soweto derby. Ernst Middendorp suggested that the controversial post-match remarks were "below the standard" of elite leadership expected at the highest level of South African football.
The Tshwane giants went back to the summit of the Premier Soccer League table as the race to win the crown tightens with each matchday. The Sea Robbers would have widened the gap at the top had they won against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby, but that was not the case.
The 40-year-old has been given an opportunity to prove his mettle as a coach. After working as an assistant to Adnan Beganovic, he is now at the helm of the Rockets, who are in the Nedbank Cup final, which is a big test for him.
Fresh from their hard-fought Soweto Derby draw, Amakhosi were brought crashing back to earth as the Bloemfontein outfit swiftly punctured their renewed confidence. Lehlohonolo Seema’s side took another significant step away from the relegation zone with a performance full of purpose and conviction. The defeat not only snapped the Naturena side’s unbeaten run and dented their hopes of securing a stable top-three finish, but also tested the growing faith they had begun to place in the tactical approach of co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.
The Usuthu coach anticipated a high-intensity contest from the two traditional giants, and his side would have to match both. He noted that while the two teams carry quality, one has more threat than the other.
The South Africa legend has been a keen follower of his former team Amakhosi, whom he represented for 25 years before his exit two seasons ago. The Glamour Boys have been doing well in the last seven games, where they have collected 17 points from a possible 21.
The Glamour Boys have collected 17 points from a possible 21 from their last seven Premier Soccer League outings to strengthen their bid to finish in the top three to qualify for the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup. Phunya Sele Sele are aware that a win will bring them closer to the top-eight finish, which will give them an MTN8 ticket.
The Amakhosi defender has insisted that the Glamour Boys cannot afford any complacency as they prepare for a vital encounter against the Bloemfontein-based outfit. With the race for continental qualification reaching its boiling point, the 25-year-old is adamant that the Soweto giants must build on their recent Derby performance to secure maximum points.
The Soweto giants have shown a marked improvement in their performances, a resurgence that has lifted them to third place on the table. Their recent displays suggest a team finding rhythm at just the right moment in the campaign. Crucially, some of their players have also begun to step up and make their presence felt at a decisive stage of the season.
The Amakhosi goalkeeper is the man on everyone’s lips after an inspired Soweto Derby display, sparking widespread calls for his inclusion in the upcoming global showpiece. A former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper believes the Glamour Boys' shot-stopper has done enough to earn a place in Hugo Broos’ squad. He went a step further, boldly declaring that Beeza is now firmly in the conversation to become the national team's first choice.
When a player leaves a club, it is mostly news that is not well-received by the fans, especially if he was a dependable figure. In most cases, such moves put the players at the receiving end of intense criticism from the club's faithful. This is exactly a situation a former Amakhosi forward found himself in when he decided to pursue greener pastures elsewhere.
The Glamour Boys battled against their traditional rivals, the Buccaneers, last weekend to share the Premier Soccer League spoils at the FNB Stadium. It was a massive result for Amakhosi, who look destined to get back to continental football once again next season.
As fans anxiously waited for the players to square it out on the pitch, chaos erupted during the warm-up session. The event, which overshadowed it, involved Amakhosi team officials and the security personnel of the home team. However, tension cooled down, and the game started before each side earned a point from the stalemate.
The Soweto giants have been going for quality in the last several years in their bid to dominate South African football across all brackets. They recently acquired a quality Amakhosi product to strengthen ahead of the forthcoming assignments.
As Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns size each as far as the league title is concerned, Amakhosi and Usuthu are fighting for the CAF Confederation ticket next season. At the bottom, there is another fervent fight for survival as the likes of Orbit College, Marumo Gallants, Magesi, Chippa United and TS Galaxy hope to avoid dropping to the second tier.
The Glamour Boys co-coach has lifted the lid on the tactical adjustments made to curb Buccaneers’ creative sparks during the pulsating Soweto Derby. The Tunisian tactician revealed that a specific midfield deployment was necessary to prevent the Sea Robbers from dominating the central channels at FNB Stadium.
The Buccaneers mentor praised the Amakhosi goalkeeper after the shot-stopper played a pivotal role in a draw at FNB Stadium, leaving the Sea Robbers to rue a host of missed opportunities in a high-stakes encounter. He proved to be the decisive figure for the Glamour Boys, producing a commanding display after missing the previous meeting between the Soweto rivals in February, a clash in which the Naturena outfit conceded three goals.
Amakhosi have struggled in recent years to provide the South Africa national team with players. However, their recent upturn in form has sparked renewed attention on their squad, with some of their standout performers now putting their hands up for international selection.
After a losing streak that extended for six games, Amakhosi finally managed to put a stop to Bucs' derby dominance in the league. Although the Naturena heavyweights did not win the game, they snatched a point from their rivals, who are in a tight race against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Although it was a matchday overshadowed by the Soweto Derby, keen PSL fans also turned their attention to the Masandawana match. Downs had a chance to overtake the Sea Robbers but ended up dropping points, too. This means the title race remains as tight as it was before the derby as the season fast approaches its conclusion.
The 31-year-old was in inspired form last weekend, pulling off big saves that helped the Glamour Boys get a point against old rivals Bucs. It was the first time they avoided defeat against the Sea Robbers after losing the initial six league derbies consecutively.
The clash pitting the South African top-flight heavyweights was the highlight of the weekend. Bucs, who were seen as favourites to extend their dominance over the Glamour Boys, ended up dropping points, a result seen as a setback to their title ambitions. However, an ugly scene occurred before the teams clashed on the pitch as security personnel clashed, leading to a protest by Amakhosi.
The Glamour Boys’ goalkeeper wore his heart on his sleeve after a masterclass in the Soweto Derby, finally answering those who have questioned his capabilities. The veteran shot-stopper emerged as Amakhosi’s ultimate hero, producing a defiant display to frustrate title-chasing Orlando Pirates and secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw at FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Although eyes are firmly on the Premier Soccer League title race between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, there are other stakes to be fought for by other teams across the table. Kaizer Chiefs are eyeing a top-three finish that will hand them a CAF Confederation Cup ticket as other teams battle for top-eight finishes.
The Sea Robbers are taking giant steps towards winning the title as the defending champions, the Glamour Boys, fell after a long period of an unbeaten streak again. However, the Bucs' lead has been reduced, which means the title race is unlikely to be a smooth-sailing journey for the log leaders.
Siwelele
