The Brazilians have been balancing responsibilities between the Premier Soccer League and the CAF Champions League. That continental involvement gives Masandawana a heavier schedule than their domestic rivals, with frequent travel and high-intensity fixtures adding to their workload. Their coach has called on the league to give them more breathing space in the fixture schedule as they juggle both competitions. But there have not been positive responses from the PSL, and that has angered their Portuguese coach.
The Brazilians shot to the top of the standings following a victory over the Mswenko Boys at Olympia Park Stadium on Tuesday. However, their rise to the summit could be short-lived if Orlando Pirates beat Richards Bay at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Wednesday.
The attacking midfielder has opened up about the mental resilience required to break into one of Africa’s most competitive squads following his return from Major League Soccer. The 28-year-old joined the Tshwane side at the beginning of the 2025/26 season on loan from FC Dallas.
If you have ever doubted that 'Mshishi' is a special player then this video is for you. A simply superb collection of goals over the years on the continent's biggest stage, against the giants of African football.
After a dramatic build-up surrounding the rescheduling of this fixture due to the Pretoria side’s continental commitments, both teams will be eager to settle matters on the pitch on Tuesday evening with the Pretoria side looking to put pressure on title rivals Pirates who could fall three points behind ahead of their own mid-week match on Wednesday against Richards Bay.
Masandawana return to action, hoping to win and widen the gap at the top over fierce rivals, Orlando Pirates. Currently, the Premier Soccer League leading sides have the same points - 44 - with the Sea Robbers leading by a slim goal difference. Should the Brazilians win, Bucs will have a chance to close the gap when they play Richards Bay a day later.
Masandawana are the only team from Mzansi in the ongoing CAF inter-club competition following the elimination of the Glamour Boys, the Sea Robbers, and Stellenbosch. The Brazilians will reap big, as confirmed by the organisers, but they should go all the way and bring the most coveted trophy home. Last season, they reached the final but fell to Pyramids.
Referees play critical roles in any football competitions but are always on the verge of a severe dressing-down if they make decisions considered biased. The coaches have always expressed their dissatisfaction openly when they feel decisions made were against their teams. Although freedom of expression is allowed, an experienced tactician has cautined his colleagues against public condemnation of the match officials.
The Masandawana chairman has embraced the Downs-Pirates rivalry, revealing that the heated battle in the Premier Soccer League has also fired up their Champions League ambitions. The two teams have been swapping the top spot in the league almost with every kick of the ball in recent weeks and the title race looks like going down to the wire.
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 Brazilians are the only PSL side still in CAF inter-club competitions this season. That means Masandawana will be trying to strike a balance between their continental ambitions and equally demanding domestic duties. Their workload becomes even heavier as they remain locked in a fierce Premier Soccer League title race with Orlando Pirates.
Although they are trailing league leaders by far, Amakhosi managed to end a long winless run courtesy of a late goal. Meanwhile, the Sea Robbers suffered a defeat on Saturday, and the result allowed Masandawana to close in on them. Now, Bucs only lead courtesy of a superior goal difference as the league momentum is at a high speed.
As the Amakhosi boat struggles to stabilise, blame games have been the order of the day. The coaches, the players and the management have all been blamed for a poor run that has seen the club lose four consecutive games across all competitions. As the season enters a decisive stretch, the Glamour Boys are fighting internal and external pressure as their traditional rivals focus on winning titles.
Although the Soweto giants are considered part of the country's Big Three, their trajectories have been different. Bucs continue to challenge for honours, while Amakhosi are a pale shadow of their former selves. In fact, this season, the Sea Robbers are champions of two domestic competitions, while Amakhosi were eliminated from a contest they were the defending champions of, the Nedbank Cup.
After a run of poor results left the South African tactician under immense pressure, his players have responded by registering a huge win. Mokwena has recently suffered two big setbacks after the Algiers-based side were knocked out of the CAF Champions League and the Algerian Cup. The win has come after it emerged a club from Libya was keen to appoint the Mzansi tactician as their head coach.
The Downs tactician continues to attract criticism as the Tshwane giants chase two trophies at a time; they are seen as the pale shadows of their former selves. Already, there is pressure for him to succeed in both races, and it shows that even though he might defend the league title, a section of the club's supporters will not be fully satisfied. As the season moves fast towards the decisive homestretch, the former Esperance tactician finds himself in a difficult dilemma.
The Portuguese tactician has endured a tough campaign with the defending Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions both domestically and abroad. However, it seems the former Esperance coach has finally managed to turn his fortune around. The 53-year-old is hopeful of ending his first full season on a high.
The 23-year-old secured a move from Stellenbosch FC to Europe in September 2024 and has since established himself as a key member of his team. His impressive performances have now earned him a new contract, extending his stay at the club where he also shares the dressing room with a former Kaizer Chiefs captain.
The Premier Soccer League title race is fast turning into a two-horse race between the Buccaneers and Mamelodi Sundowns. But even then, some are ready to put their money on Masandawana winning the race again despite the Ghost showing a strong interest in the title. One of those who is sceptical about the Sea Robbers winning the league is the Polokwane City coach, and he has his reasons.
The South African tactician is feeling the heat as the Algiers-based side struggles. The Algerian league champions are winless in the last four games: a draw and three defeats, which puts the 38-year-old under immeasurable pressure. Eyes are now on him to see how quickly he will arrest the poor run and help the club return to winning ways.
Both Masandawana and the Sea Robbers have been doing well in the race for the league crown, where they are both on 44 points from the 19 games played so far. Some stakeholders feel this is the time when the Buccaneers can beat the Brazilians to the title and end their decade-long dominance, where they have been crowned eight times in a row.
The former Esperance tactician believes the lack of modern technology in South African top-flight football, which, he insists, has hurt the Brazilians and the other teams. Masandawana are chasing the Premier Soccer League crown for the ninth time in a row, but face stiff competition from leaders Orlando Pirates.
As the Premier Soccer League title race intensifies, each point becomes precious, and none of the rivals at the top of the table would like to drop any. With Orlando Pirates also unrelenting in their own pursuit of the title, Downs must ensure they are as effective as possible in order to boost their chances of extending their dominance of the top tier to a ninth consecutive season.
The PSL has officially confirmed the first set of its Monthly Awards winners for the second half of the season. The Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Orlando Pirates sensation, and Kaizer Chiefs forward have all been recognised for their outstanding contributions during the January–February period.
Going forward, Masandawana will be the busiest side among the Premier Soccer League sides. The Tshwane giants are the only club from the country with additional continental duties. That means the technical bench must come with a strategy that will make use of every player as they juggle the busy calendar.
Stade Malien
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