Teams are already working hard to identify the players who can improve their teams in the January Transfer window as they continue chasing their targets of the season. Among the teams that might end up losing some top players, as it has been the norm recently, is Steve Barker's Stellies, whose star has been linked with a move abroad.
In a high-octane Premier Soccer League at Olympia Park Stadium, fans were not only treated to drama but also to a classic football match as Stellenbosch grabbed a 2-1 win over Orbit College. Monnapule Saleng registered his third assist of the season, although his side was stunned by the opponent's late comeback.
The Mswenko Boys are set for a stern Stellies test in their midweek Premier Soccer League assignment, hoping to capitalise on Steve Barker’s men’s poor form as they push to climb the table. The Western Cape outfit has struggled this season, which explains why they are far from guaranteed a positive result.
The Maroons travel to Olympia Park Stadium on Wednesday evening in high spirits after their 1–0 victory in the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage campaign. They now turn their attention to the resilient Mswenko Boys, aiming to secure crucial points in their push to climb the Premier Soccer League log. Still battling to escape the relegation zone, the Western Cape team sits on nine points in 15th place, while their opponents hold a four-point advantage above them.
The Western Cape side pulled out all the tricks in the book when they took their Congolese opponents, AS Otohô to Polokwane due to stadium unavailability in the Mother City. The move ultimately worked in Stellies’ favour, as they walked away with maximum points at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, securing a one-nil victory in the dying minutes. It was the perfect start to their continental campaign, especially after falling short in the semi-finals of the previous competition.
It was almost the perfect weekend for Mzansi sides in continental football. Mamelodi Sundowns were in CAF Champions League action on Saturday, while Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs did duty in the Confederation Cup on Sunday. Downs, although slightly underwhelming, managed to beat Orlando Pirates slayers Saint Eloi-Lupopo at home. Stellies, meanwhile, left it late to see off Otoho d’Oyo. It was then over to Amakhosi to ensure South African teams completed a perfect outing in the CAF interclub competition, but they disappointed.
Last season’s CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists, Stellies, launched their group stage journey at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday, 23 November. The Cape Winelands outfit, who thrilled fans with a deep run in the previous campaign, fell short in the last four against Tanzania’s Simba SC but now return determined to go further.
The Winelands club have been a steady PSL mainstay since they gained promotion to the top division in 2019. Last season saw them compete in continental competition for the first time where they reached the semi finals of the CAF Confederations Cup. Now, however, they find themselves mired in a relegation fight while trying to balance the demands of CAF competition once again.
There’s no doubt, Mzansi football is on the up. One just needs to take one look at the performances of Bafana Bafana over the last few years. Since Hugo Broos took charge, the national team has improved significantly, and the recent nominations of SA players at the CAF Awards were a testament to that fact.
Four South African representatives will fly the flag at the 2025 CAF Awards after the Confederation of African Football unveiled its finalists on Sunday, November 16. With places secured across different categories, the announcement highlights the growing influence of South African football on the continental stage and sets the tone for a night of recognition and pride.
All of the Premier Soccer League's Big Three won in Round 12 of the season, with the two Soweto clubs putting in statement wins that will have the Chloorkop faithful starting to worry about their ninth league title in a row. There were standout performers in those matches and across the other mid-week fixtures in the final domestic league games before the international break.
A former Kaizer Chiefs head coach masterminded a slim win for his side courtesy of a goal struck by an ex-Mamelodi Sundowns star. It was also good news for the Bucs' legend, whose side registered a win and a clean sheet against their rivals. For Barker, the loss will leave him in a more precarious situation, even though he has guided the Maroons to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
Orlando Pirates were eliminated from the annual top-tier competition on the continent. However, the Glamour Boys, the Brazilians, and Stellies are set to represent Mzansi in the ongoing CAF inter-club tournaments, hoping to go to the latter stages and probably win the crown despite the anticipated stiff competition from other teams.
Back in Premier Soccer League action, the KwaZulu-Natal outfit aimed to build on their strong cup form as they hosted Gallants in a challenging home fixture at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday evening. With momentum on their side, Arrows looked to keep their winning rhythm alive in front of their home fans.
The former Sea Robber star linked up with the former Bucs' defender even though he had attracted interest from an ex-Kaizer Chiefs head coach. In his new club, the coach is ready to help him get back to his top-level form after battling injuries for a long period.
The diminutive midfielder struck twice and combined well with his former Pirates teammate in one of his goals as Bahlabane ba Ntwa romped to a 4-0 victory over the Maroons in a Beer Cup quarter-final match at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Wednesday. It was a rain-drenched evening as the Cape Winelands side suffered their biggest defeat of the season.
The 21-year-old winger is in his second season playing top-flight league football. After making just one appearance last term, he has improved himself to become an important player for TS Galaxy. For someone who came through the development ranks of AmaZulu and Cape Town City, he is showing that he had a good football education growing up.
The new season launched in early August and clubs are officially or unofficially revealing their new kits with a wave of newly unveiled third kits coming in October.
The South African League Cup will have new kings after the defending champions were eliminated by the Sea Robbers. Although Bucs are seen as favourites, the Soweto giants are not immune to the surprising results and upsets always associated with domestic competitions.
To reach the quarter-finals, Stellies defeated Kaizer Chiefs after winning a post-match penalty shootout. Bahlabane Ba Ntwa also overcame a formidable opposition in the Round of 16, beating Mamelodi Sundowns in a dramatic penalty shootout.
There is a chance that the Premier Soccer League sides might find themselves in the same group. Unlike last season, the Maroons will seek to advance further after they were eliminated at the semi-final by Tanzania's Simba SC, then under Fadlu Davids.
South African teams were in action this weekend in the second leg of the preliminary rounds of both the Champions League and the Confederation Cup. Pirates and Sundowns did action in the continent’s premier competition - the CAF Champions League - while Chiefs and Stellies were playing in the Confederation Cup.
The Cape Winelands side returned to Athlone Stadium on Sunday, 26 October, aiming to break the deadlock after a goalless first leg played in tough conditions in Equatorial Guinea. With home support behind them, they looked to seize control and book their place in the next round with a decisive performance.
The Western Cape outfit came out guns blazing in their league encounter, treating fans to an exciting contest packed with goals at Athlone Stadium against a resilient Arrows side that refused to back down until the final whistle. Despite their uneven form in the PSL, Stellies looked rejuvenated — and it wouldn’t be far-fetched to suggest that their recent CAF Club of the Year nomination provided the extra spark needed to clinch their second league win of the campaign.
The Soweto Giants came into the Wednesday game as favourites owing to their recent results domestically and abroad. They needed maximum points to sustain their hopes of ascending to the summit of the table and stand a chance to challenge for the South African top-flight crown by the end of the ongoing campaign.
Stellenbosch FC
