The Soweto giants began the campaign on a promising note but have since fallen short in their pursuit of silverware, leaving the league title as their only realistic shot at redemption. However, their struggles in front of the goal have continued to haunt them, limiting their options and stalling momentum throughout the season. And according to the ex-Chiefs marksman, the revolving door approach in the starting XI has done more harm than good.
The Glamour Boys' co-coaches started the season with promise as their tactics seemed to work. However, the last two weeks have exposed them as Amakhosi remain at risk of ending the campaign without silverware. They are out of the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Confederation Cup, which could see them concluding the season empty-handed.
During their time at Naturena, Ranga Chivaviro and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana both failed to live up to their goal-scoring potential and were eventually shipped off as disappointed Amakhosi fans waved them away without too much thought. But the duo seem to have found their level and their goalscoring touch in the Middle East, if their exploits in this 2-2 draw are anything to go by...
The experienced midfield maestro spent much of his time with clubs in France, Denmark, and Turkey. However, when he came back to the country, his ambition was to pen a deal with the Naturena heavyweights, but it did not happen. He ended up signing for Amakhosi's rivals in the Premier Soccer League.
The Soweto giants' forward was loaned out to the Cape Winelands side after he fell down the pecking order under Abdeslam Ouaddou and he looks to revive himself. On the other hand, the former Buccaneers defender is likely to miss the next few games for the Maroons, who are in dire need of positive results to save their season. The Nigerian defender joined the club after his shock exit from the Sea Robbers.
The former Amakhosi development player joined the Rockets carrying high expectations after they conquered the reserve league last season. However, he has struggled to secure regular game time under the Bosnian coach. His limited opportunities have slowed the momentum many believed he would build on his promising rise.
A huge gap opened in the Buccaneers’ defence after the Bafana Bafana centre-back secured a move to Chicago Fire FC. Although the Soweto giants responded by signing Mpho Chabatsane, they remained reduced at the back following the exit of Olisa Ndah. That might have left coach Abdeslam Ouaddou needing a central defender.
The Buccaneers saw their Premier Soccer League lead trimmed after a tense clash with the Brazilians. Masandawana went into the match appearing to be losing ground in their title defence bid before producing a result when it mattered most. The outcome leaves the championship race wide open heading into the decisive stretch of the season.
The duo was given a chance to take the team forward following the changes that had been made by the management in the early 2025/26 campaign. The tacticians' future at the Glamour Boys hangs in the balance since the Soweto giants refused to confirm them beyond the current edition, insisting that it will be discussed once it concludes.
After back-to-back continental assignments, the Maroons turned their focus to the league duties. Their bid to climb up the ladder was hit by a blow as struggling Dikwena Tsa Meetse frustrated them on their own turf. Stellies' last league victory came against Sekhukhune United, and the relegation-threatened outfit denied them a second straight win in the competition.
The experienced star's performance is one of the reasons why Amakhosi have been solid at the back. However, his impressive run has been overshadowed by rumours surrounding his future, but now reports emerge that the club is keen to tie him down for a longer deal. Although the Glamour Boys exited two competitions in a span of days, the player has been a standout figure for the club.
The Premier Soccer League newbies have been unstable, especially in the technical team, where they have been making frequent changes. The South African top-tier outfit are currently without a head coach owing to the recent decision to part ways with the ex-Chippa United tactician after just three weeks in charge.
The Abafana Bes'thende boss believes the 22-year-old winger has the talent, drive and dedication to improvement for a major transfer overseas and dismissed links to the league's big clubs as mere speculation that won't influence the player or his club as they consider his future.
Kgaogelo Sekgota completed his rehabilitation process and is back on the pitch with Siwelele FC whose head coach Lehlohonolo Seema has praised the winger's progress and emphasised mental fitness as the priority in his ongoing recovery.
The Soweto giants did not make any senior team signings during the PSL January transfer window. Attention is now expected to shift towards planning for next season as the club reassesses its squad needs. Several players have already been linked with potential moves to Naturena ahead of the new campaign.
The Super Eagles defender had been tipped to leave the Premier Soccer League following his exit from the Buccaneers. The 28-year-old was linked with a move to North Africa as well as the Middle East, before his move to the Cape Winelands side was confirmed. It is a massive boost for the centre-back who was desperate for play time.
The Super Eagles star ended his association with the Buccaneers a couple of weeks ago on mutual consent. Initially, there were reports that the experienced centre-back was on his way to the Middle East, but his agent played down the heavy speculation. The towering defender will now remain in Mzansi!
For the first time in recent seasons, the Soweto giants look settled in the goalkeeping department, bringing a sense of calm at the back. This renewed stability marks a clear improvement in a once-problematic area of their squad, and it could prove decisive in their push for the Premier Soccer League title.
When Andre De Jong moved from Stellenbosch to the Buccaneers he promised to help them win the Premier Soccer League crown. Now, on the eve of their crucial showdown with current champions Mamelodi Sundowns, the 29-year-old has revealed an extra motivation for joining the club.
The two top dogs in South African top-flight football are set to meet in the midweek clash, with each hoping for maximum points. The fixture presents a massive opportunity for Abdeslam Ouaddou's men to extend their gap on top of the PSL table as the Brazilians are desperately trying to put their actions together.
It did not take long for the 32-year-old attacker to start paying back his reputed $75,000 (R1.2 million) transfer fee as he scored to help his new club progress to the next round of the domestic cup competition.
The Cape Winelands side and their opponents from Tanzania entered this last group game with their quarter-final hopes having already been extinguished. With nothing tangible left to fight for, the fixture effectively became a dead rubber. The chance to sign off in a respectable manner was all that remained at stake, but it turned out to be a disappointing evening for both teams.
The Glamour Boys came into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia just needing a draw to progress. They fell 2-1 to Zamalek and exited the CAF Confederation Cup at the group stage. Now, as the dust settles, fans have taken to social media to vent their feelings over the result and Amakhosi's performance.
The Glamour Boys recovered from a poor start in Group D to come into the fixture at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia with a good chance to progress but succumbed 2-1 to the White Knight and were eliminated from the competition. It was a result that did not sit well with Brian Baloyi who lashed out at the club's management.
The Group D leaders face the White Knights at Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, without some key players. Inacio Miguel is out injured, while another versatile defender, Aden McCarthy, is suspended. The Glamour Boys' technical team has to come up with an effective plan to ensure they don't suffer defeat.
The Dikwena Tša Meetse skipper has likened his side's league woes to slumps in form and fortune, endured by some of the biggest clubs in world football, but is confident that if they continue to put in the hard work off the pitch, then the results on it will come.
Stellenbosch FC
