The 24-year-old has rediscovered his top form, staking a strong claim for a return to regular national team call-ups like in the past, and he has opened up on his rejuvenation. Now firmly re-established as a key figure for the Brazilians, with just three months to go to the global football tournament.
Although club football dominates headlines currently, South Africans are also looking ahead as Bafana are set to take part in the upcoming global bonanza. The Sea Robbers and Masandawana are in a tight battle to win the Premier Soccer League title, the same teams that are expected to contribute the majority of players to the national team.
The 21-year-old player made his name at the Soweto giants in the 2024/25 campaign, attracting several teams before eventually leaving for the Saudi Pro League outfit. Being played as a defender, the versatile attacker has been struggling for form and game time of late, and that places him at risk of being out of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos' plans.
The 39-year-old found himself on the wrong side of the law a couple of days after parting ways with MC Alger, a team he had coached for eight months. He has been tipped to take over another top-tier outfit in Libya, with the announcement made late on Tuesday.
The North African side have moved quickly to replace the South African tactician who quit over the weekend. And, in a twist of fate rarely seen in football, it looks like the two coaches are basically 'swapping' clubs.
Amakhosi players’ continued exclusion from the national team reflects how standards have dropped at Naturena. A former Buccaneers star has not minced his words, insisting the Glamour Boys currently do not have players deserving of a place in the squad. He believes the situation highlights just how far the club has fallen from the level expected of a team of its stature.
The Belgian tactician has named his preliminary squad ahead of the friendly games against Panama later in March. The games have been lined up as part of Bafana's preparations for the global football bonanza in the middle of this year. Already, the coach's preliminary squad has been analysed, and questions have arisen on who should be in and who does not deserve a place in it.
The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns coach had been going through what appeared to be a difficult spell in Algeria. His time at the capital city club ends less than 24 hours after he guided them to a 2-0 league victory over Paradou AC that put them five points clear at the top of the Algerian Ligue 1 with several games in hand. The sudden exit adds another twist to what had already been a turbulent period for the tactician.
The veteran midfielder remains one player the South Africa national football team could need at the global football tournament if he rediscovers his authority in the middle of the park. Currently used sparingly by Masandawana, he has yet to reach the top form that made him a dominant force in midfield. That has created anticipation over whether he can rise again and reclaim the midfield-king status he once enjoyed.
The 21-year-old South African attacker has not enjoyed much playing time of late but that does not seem to have affected his valuation, nor foreign clubs appetite for the former Orlando Pirates star's services. His agent has been talking up both factors and also assured worried fans that the player is safe as the Middle East conflict spreads around the region.
The Masandawana defender has insisted that his omission from the Bafana squad in their past few camps is not a concern for him as he focuses on helping his club achieve its targets. The defender has developed into one of the most reliable figures in Miguel Cardoso’s set-up this season, battling back from an injury-hit spell to re-establish himself at the core of Sundowns’ defensive unit.
The shot-stopper has been in fine form for the Glamour Boys this season, ensuring the likes of Bruce Bvuma and Fiacre Ntwari don't get a chance. However, he suffered a setback a couple of weeks ago that has seen him miss two Premier Soccer League matches in a row. It was a blow for him as an individual, considering the personal ambitions set.
The football lovers in the country are looking forward to the global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament is scheduled to start on Thursday, June 11, and run until Sunday, July 19, where 48 teams around the globe are set to feature. Mzansi are among the nine nations that got a direct ticket after topping their respective qualifying groups.
Players from Masandawana dominated the South Africa national football team squad at the 2023 AFCON tournament, forming the backbone of coach Hugo Broos’ side. However, the most recent national team selections have seen stars from Orlando Pirates making up the majority of the squad. Still, the Brazilians’ players are gradually forcing their way back into the national team fold as they continue to impress at the club level.
The Bafana Bafana legend spent five seasons in the English Premier League but never realised his dream of turning out for one of the league’s heavyweights. A move to a so-called big club never materialised during his time in England despite an opportunity presenting itself. That missed chance hurt his chances of forcing his way into the South Africa squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup held on home soil.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United midfielder has, in the past, been associated with indiscipline issues. A section of the Buccaneers supporters were afraid the problem had recurred with baseless rumours surfacing on Social Media that he is suspended by the club.
The Super Eagles and Bolton Wanderers icon has sparked debate by suggesting that Mzansi footballers are held back by a lack of ambition to ply their trade in the world's biggest leagues. The midfield maestro, who enjoyed a glittering 20-year career across Germany, Turkey, France, and England, suggested that the talent in the PSL often stays stagnant because players are unwilling to leave the comfort of their surroundings.
The arrival of the 27-year-old at Soweto was seen as a revival of his career following a disappointing spell in Pretoria, and the Bucs faithful quickly took to him. But recently he has struggled to live up to the promising glimpses he once showed. Injuries have also played a part in his setbacks. With his one-year contract soon expiring, time is running out for the playmaker, and fans, along with former players, are beginning to debate whether he has done enough to earn a long-term stay at Mayfair.
The Red and Blues announced the departure of their Cypriot manager, Elias Charalambous, who leaves after a highly successful stint at the Romanian giants that coincided with the arrival of the former Kaizer Chiefs defender. But now, with the current champions finishing seventh on the Superliga table and dropping into the relegation round of the split table and Ngezana struggling to recover from injury, the 28-year-old faces an uncertain future.
In what could infuriate the Amakhosi fan base again, the national team head coach has not named a single player from the club. However, the Sea Robbers enjoy a high representation, followed by their close Premier Soccer League rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns. Thembinkosi Lorch, who has enjoyed an impressive run, has not been called up again.
Over the years, some high-profile strikers have come out of Mzansi, but recently, the upcoming ones have struggled to reach the standards set by their predecessors. As Hugo Broos looks forward to naming his World Cup squad, he should be scratching his head on whether the available centre-forwards will deliver. Before then, though, a retired striker has shared lessons for the current crop.
The South African has been feeling the heat in Algeria, but he managed to inspire his side to victory on Saturday. However, he remains cautious and bent on keeping his players in line as his future remains uncertain at his club.
The former AmaKhosi goalkeeper has opened up on the transformative impact he and the late Orlando Pirates goal-minder had on local football, claiming the pair helped make goalkeeping 'fashionable' in the country. Both shot-stoppers rose through the ranks of the nation’s fiercest rivals, the Soweto giants, and shared a bond that went beyond club loyalties.
The veteran midfielder has been out of the South Africa national football team for over a year. His experience was missed during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and could still be valuable as the team looks ahead to the global football tournament. However, he is yet to hit top form at Masandawana, with coach Miguel Cardoso carefully managing his minutes.
After a difficult spell, the former Stellenbosch FC star has been impressive in the second half of the season. With the global football competition approaching, the 24-year-old's name is now in the mix, and a Cameroon legend who graced the quadrennial tournament believes the midfielder's current form aligns perfectly with what the Belgian coach is looking for.
The 20-year-old started his third Major League Soccer match in a row and played well in keeping a clean sheet for his club. However, the centre back will have sleepless nights over a late chance that would have secured victory for his side.
South Africa
