The Tshwane giants are fine-tuning for battle with a foot in the continental showpiece, but the 26-year-old right-back has slammed the brakes on any early celebrations at Chloorkop. Even with a narrow first-leg cushion in their pocket, the Masandawana defender has made it clear the mission is still wide open as they gear up to welcome the Tunisian team.
The Brazilians hold a slender 1-0 advantage over the Blood and Gold from the first leg of their last-four clash in Africa’s premier club competition. They head into the return fixture determined to protect that lead and finish the job.
The North African outfit will be at Loftus Versfeld Stadium this weekend to face the Premier Soccer League heavyweights, who enjoy a slight advantage after the initial meeting a couple of days ago. The Tunisian team insists the Brazilians are not yet through to the last hurdle despite playing in Mzansi.
The Soweto giants are expected to appoint a new coach at the end of the season, with Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef likely to make way. A number of names have already been thrown into the mix as speculation over the next appointment intensifies.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions are at least a draw away from the CAF Champions League final for the second year in a row, where they will play either RS Berkane or AS FAR Rabat. Masandawana are desperate to secure the second star in the competition following their triumph a decade ago.
The Chloorkop outfit has been urged to lodge a formal appeal against the red card shown to the 33-year-old centre-back during their CAF Champions League semi-final first-leg clash. Despite grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory, the dismissal of the experienced defender has cast a shadow over the result ahead of the crucial return leg.
Former Amakhosi star and outspoken pundit Junior Khanye has sent a clear message to Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos regarding his defensive selections. Following a commanding continental performance, Khanye believes two Mamelodi Sundowns stars have proved they are indispensable for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The Portuguese mentor has warned his players that their CAF Champions League semi-final is far from over despite securing a first-leg advantage in Tunis. The Brazilians hold a slender lead heading back to Pretoria, but Cardoso insists that only a perfect tactical display will see them through to the final.
After coming so close last season, Masandawana hope their campaign this time around will be successful. The Pretoria giants are the only team flying the country's flag at the continental level and are hopeful of winning a CAF Champions League second star. A win from home takes them closer again, but what stands between them and a second consecutive final is a second-leg action that will take place on April 18.
The former 29-year-old Masandawana star has finally made his long-awaited return to the pitch, making his debut in the Premier Soccer League clash on Saturday evening after a lengthy period as a free agent. Following a successful first outing, the head coach has opened up on how he plans to utilise the ex-Sundowns man’s unique skill set.
GOAL brings you the details to follow the Brazilians' mission in Tunisia where they face the Blood and Gold at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi on Sunday. It is a semi-final, first leg match of the CAF Champions League and Miguel Cardoso's men would be keen on claiming an advantage going into next week's home leg in Tshwane.
Before the Friday game, Bucs were riding on their otherwise impressive form and hoped to get points that will keep them close to Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race. However, the Sea Robbers were forced to settle for a draw, and the two lost points might cost them the title in the end.
The midfield star played crucial roles as Bucs went on to defend the MTN8 and later win the Carling Knockout. Before the injury, he was a trusted starter, and his game improved incredibly under the current coach. But he is now set to sit out the remaining part of the season as the Sea Robbers chase the PSL title.
After the result from the Richards Bay game, many Bucs fans were left frustrated and wondering whether it is another season where they came so close to winning the title but failed again. The Soweto giants have been waiting to end the league trophy drought for over a decade, and in the past three seasons, they gave Downs a run of their money only for the Tshwane giants to prevail in the end.
The South African heavyweights are hoping to put aside their disappointment and go a step further to win the prestigious continental club competition. They have a massive task against the North African outfit, who have been doing well in the annual tournament.
The loss is a big blow to the Rockets, who are in desperate need of a victory in order to avoid sliding down towards the relegation zone. After the international break, teams are now focused on their league duties, with some fighting against possible relegation as Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns engage in the title race.
The Brazilians head coach has offered a glass-half-full assessment of South Africa’s chances at the upcoming quadrennial tournament. As Hugo Broos' men prepare to return to the global stage in North America, the Portuguese tactician believes the national team has the quality to progress beyond the opening round.
The Masandawana star is at the sunset of his career, while the Bucs' forward has just begun his career. There has been a raging debate on who will eventually succeed Mshishi given how the experienced playmaker has been influential, especially for his club. President Yama 2000 has shown signs he is ready to step up, but is the debate on who is better coming at the right time?
The Bafana Bafana international was seen as surplus to requirements by the Buccaneers' coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who prefers Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa. However, under the former Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt, the forward is enjoying his game once again, hoping to steer Stellies to finish in the top eight.
The Bucs' coaching unit welcomes a new face following the arrival of the experienced analyst who also worked in the recruitment department in his former club. After bagging two domestic trophies, the Sea Robbers hope to win the Premier Soccer League title this season and even more glory in the future. To write more success, the playing unit and the technical bench need figures who can help the club achieve the set ambitions.
The towering Buccaneer was a shock signing for Stellies in the January transfer window following his struggles with the Soweto giants. Abdeslam Ouaddou had opted to use the likes of Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa, who he felt were more valuable. The Bafana Bafana international has seemingly managed to regain his form.
Despite an away loss in Bamako, Downs managed to book a ticket in the semi-final of the inter-club competition. A healthy cushion achieved in the first leg was enough to propel the Pretoria heavyweights, whose continental dreams remain alive. Masandawana now focus on the next opponent amid pressure from Orlando Pirates at home.
In a bid to strengthen their off-field structures, the Soweto giants are expected to bring on board the tactician from their league opponents. The tactician is said to have already bid farewell to Stellies ahead of his move to join the Sea Robbers. Should the move see the light of day, it will reinforce a trend where the top-flight rivals have exchanged talents in recent times.
The Premier Soccer League campaign continues with a lot to play for among teams. At stake is winning the title race, earning a spot to play continental football next season, as well as avoiding the dreaded relegation at the end of the season.
Masandawana booked a place in the next phase of the competition despite going down in Bamako. This means the Premier Soccer League heavyweights' dream of a second continental star lives on. However, their inconsistency will make their ability to go all the way and conquer Africa questionable.
The ex-Kaizer Chiefs coach has explained the tactical decision to deploy the former Buccaneers defender in midfield. The Nigerian international made his debut for the Cape Winelands side during their 2-1 victory over Chippa United on Saturday.
Stellenbosch FC
