The Amakhosi faithful finally got a glimpse of their summer recruit on Tuesday night, but his bright debut was marred by a familiar result as they fell 2-1 to Stellenbosch FC at FNB Stadium, continuing a miserable record against the Winelands side that has now seen them lose three times this season across various competitions.
It was the same old story for Amakhosi as they fell to their third straight defeat at the hands of the Winelands club. They dominated possession and chances created, especially in the first half, but failed to take their opportunities before letting their opponents score twice from their three shots on target. Afterwards, the Glamour Boys co-coach faced the media repeating the same old message of missed chances to blame for another damaging defeat.
After heartbreaking results in the CAF Confederation Cup and in the Nedbank Cup campaigns, Amakhosi's focus was turned to the Premier Soccer League. Following a 10-day rest, the Glamour Boys could not manage to collect even a single point. For Gavin Hunt, the pressure is expected to ease after masterminding Stellies' back-to-back wins against his former side.
The former Amakhosi centre-back is in a race against time to be fit for the global football tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Failure to recover fully could force South Africa’s coach to rethink his defensive plans ahead of the global showpiece. It would mean searching for a replacement for the player he trusted during the 2025 AFCON finals.
Both goalkeepers have been impressive so far in the season, making them prime candidates for the season-end award. Their comparison has come at the time the Sea Robbers and Amakhosi are preparing for the upcoming Soweto derby. The two experienced custodians are expected to play crucial roles in the derby that carries high stakes and bragging rights.
The Amakhosi vice-captain rose through the youth ranks at Naturena but left to pursue regular first-team football elsewhere, turning out for Chippa United, Bidvest Wits and Stellenbosch FC. Those moves helped him gain valuable top-flight experience and mature as a leader. He returned to Naturena in July 2022 and has since grown into one of the club’s senior figures.
Although the Durban-based outfit is one of the traditional clubs in South Africa, they are yet to be considered as one of the big outfits compared to their rivals. Usuthu is a club with a legacy in the country but is yet to match their Premier Soccer League rivals like Bucs, Downs and Amakhosi. However, its top official has made a bold claim that it is time for the team to take its rightful position in the football circle.
For the last couple of seasons, the Soweto giants have been struggling to get it right in the final third, explaining the three strikers that were brought on board in the off-season transfer window. Despite strengthening the attacking department, the Glamour Boys have been missing big chances that could have made the team more dangerous.
The Glamour Boys will be in action at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night, hoping for a win to set the mood for the Soweto derby on Saturday. However, it seems the target has now been revised by the management and technical team, something which might not go well with the supporters. Nevertheless, two players might make their debut against Stellies.
During the Buccaneers Nedbank Cup exit at the hands of second-tier Casric Stars, a section of the home support started booing 'Tito'. Now, in the aftermath of the defeat and with the Derby just days away, Innocent Chikoya has slammed the fans who targeted the 27-year-old and reminded them that the attacker was their last-minute penalty hero against Amakhosi just a year ago.
The Soweto giants are aware that a win on Tuesday against their former coach, Gavin Hunt, will bring them closer to the top. They have had enough rest since their last competitive engagement was 10 days ago against Zamalek SC in the unsuccessful CAF Confederation Cup campaign. The PSL is their only hope for silverware this season.
Amakhosi will welcome their former head coach, Gavin Hunt, who will lead his troops for a high-profile league encounter on Tuesday. The Glamour Boys return to the pitch for the first time since they were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup. The match at home offers the Soweto giants a chance for revenge on Stellies, who ejected them from the Nedbank Cup.
After elimination from both the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup, Amakhosi's focus is solely on the Premier Soccer League. Now they are set to resume league duties with a match against Stellies, who are in dire need of points to avoid a possible relegation dogfight. On the other hand, the Glamour Boys must win to keep their league title hopes alive.
The Brazilians were shocked by the Rockets in their Nedbank Cup Round of 16 after falling 2-0. They now need to bounce back against Arthur Zwane's Usuthu in the Premier Soccer League fixture to be staged at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday. A win will send them to the top of the table after their latest victory over Orlando Pirates.
The former Marumo Gallants tactician has been adamant that he will rotate his squad to give everyone a fighting chance. The philosophy is understood to have been necessitated by the number of quality players at the club. The Sea Robbers also contested in multiple competitions, and that meant some players had to be rested to avoid fatigue.
The two Premier Soccer League rivals are set for another interesting meeting in the South African footballing scene. The recent meeting ended with the Glamour Boys getting eliminated from the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 at the DHL Stadium. The former Amakhosi tactician shares the latest on his team ahead of the forthcoming fixture.
Although all eyes are focused on the tight Premier Soccer League title race, the derby, as usual, is set to steal the limelight in the meantime. Both the Glamour Boys and Bucs head into the highly anticipated encounter nursing season injuries; while the former were knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup, the Sea Robbers lost momentum in the league title race after a loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers coach is refusing to hit the panic button ahead of Saturday's crucial Betway Premiership derby against Amakhosi, insisting his side can still win the Betway Premiership title despite a brutal week of defeats that saw them crash out of the Nedbank Cup and cede ground to league title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 20-year-old was one of the standout performers for the South Africa national U20 football team at the 2025 edition of the age-group global tournament. His displays raised hopes that he could return to Amakhosi and become a regular as the Soweto giants chase their season ambitions. However, he has found it difficult to cement a consistent place in the starting line-up.
After a disappointing week for the Sea Robbers, the much-anticipated Soweto derby, one of the biggest fixtures in the domestic calendar, will be about more than just bragging rights. The Buccaneers will be under immense pressure to respond to their back-to-back defeats, something the left winger has reassured supporters that they are ready to address with a strong performance.
The PSL big three have all exited the Nedbank Cup, shifting full focus onto the league title race. While Mamelodi Sundowns still have continental commitments, the spotlight now turns to the Soweto teams. A retired footballer believed the Glamour Boys still have a chance and that this is their opportunity to fight and be among Africa’s elite clubs.
Abafana Bes’thende were meant to be celebrating their progression to the quarter-finals, but their victory was clouded by controversy and lingering “what if” questions over a contentious incident. Despite his side being on the favourable end of the decision, the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor maintained that the league urgently needs VAR to keep pace with the speed of the modern game.
The Premier Soccer League takes a break this weekend as clubs chase a slot in the last eight of the annual domestic competition. After holders Amakhosi were knocked out by the Cape Winelands side, it is interesting to see who takes over. Top dogs Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have also both been eliminated.
The Soweto giants have shown some improvements in other departments this season, but their attack remains a huge concern. This is despite Amakhosi having eight forwards in their squad, but they are still unconvincing upfront. That has forced the technical team to formulate means to get the goals in, as Amakhosi still have chances of winning the Premier Soccer League title.
The Brazilians had no answers as the Rockets outplayed them in the domestic Cup tournament played at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium. The technical team rotated the team, but the plan didn't work as Masandawana now joined the Glamour Boys in the cold, paving the way for the Sea Robbers to go all the way and reclaim the crown.
The 20-year-old made a surprising exit to the Major Soccer League after making his name in South Africa while turning out for the Sea Robbers. There was reported interest from Europe, where some top teams were linked with the Bafana Bafana international. However, the centre-back and his representatives opted to go to the United States.
Stellenbosch FC
