At one stage, Amakhosi were flying high at the very top of the PSL table, sparking talk of a title charge. Fast forward to the halfway stage of the campaign and Amakhosi now sit fourth, a spot that feels underwhelming after such a bright start. Fans expected the Glamour Boys to stay in the mix, but inconsistency has slowed their climb.
Amakhosi were once again left frustrated in front of goal, recording their second straight goalless stalemate after also firing blanks against Chippa United in midweek. Despite dominating large spells, Chiefs could not find the breakthrough against the Rockets in their match on Sunday, December 7, yet the point was enough to lift them into fourth place on the Premier Soccer League table.
With two games before the Premier Soccer League takes a break, Amakhosi had a chance to go level with Orlando Pirates. They were held by Chippa United, and the second attempt was to beat TS Galaxy and go level with Mamelodi Sundowns, but they have also squandered that chance. Although Galaxy were reduced, the Glamour Boys failed to take advantage, as they were frustrated at Mbombela Stadium.
Amakhosi arrived at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday, December 7, determined to rediscover their winning touch after a midweek stalemate against Chippa United away in Gqeberha that left them frustrated. The Soweto giants sought momentum, while the Rockets looked to harness their home ground advantage to climb the league standings in front of their supporters.
The 21-year-old has managed to reinvent himself after being discarded by Amakhosi, putting the Soweto giants under scrutiny for letting such a big talent slip away. While he has bounced back strongly from the Naturena setback, he is still chasing his major breakthrough on the international stage. Even though he earned a place in the preliminary squad for the 2025 AFCON, he has yet to firmly establish himself in the national team setup, but would be happy for the recognition.
The Glamour Boys have been blowing hot and cold in the South African top-flight football, but they will be aiming to end the year on a high when they face the Rockets on Sunday. It will be a massive opportunity for the players to reward the supporters with a gift in the forthcoming festive period since victory will ensure they finish joint second in the log.
The Buccaneers waited until late in the second half of the extra time to find a way past Marumo Gallants to secure their second crown in domestic football. The former Morocco international had helped the Sea Robbers win the MTN8 title early in the season with a victory over Stellenbosch, who were determined to spoil the party.
Amakhosi have another chance to close in on Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the league standings. After being held to a goalless draw by Chippa United, the Glamour Boys will be looking to return to winning ways. Chiefs are on a three-match winless run across competitions, given their last victory came against Orbit College in early November.
The senior national team played in the 1998, 2002, and 2010 global competitions but failed to get past the initial hurdle. A majority of the supporters in the country believe that could change in the 2026 edition to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada after Friday's draw that saw Mzansi being placed in what they feel is a manageable group.
Amakhosi wrapped up a spirited outing in the United Kingdom on Saturday, December 6, having faced Manchester United, Leeds United and QPR. The young guns seized the chance to test themselves against overseas opposition, showing grit and hunger while soaking up valuable lessons. A tour that toughened their resolve and showed they can rise to grander occasions.
South Africa will open the prestigious global competition against the co-hosts, hoping to start on a high note to stand a chance of advancing to the knockout phase for the first time in their history. However, they will definitely not find it easy coming up against a team supported by thousands of home fans.
The Premier Soccer League giants are set to sharpen themselves with opponents outside the country as the season takes a break. The league will go into a break to allow players to represent their respective countries in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco. Five of the Masandawana stars will be part of Hugo Broos' team, but the rest will not have as much rest, as they are scheduled to participate in the tournament.
The 61-year-old celebrated South African tactician believes Hugo Broos' men have enough quality to ensure they don't fall in the initial phase of the prestigious global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The senior national team has, in the past, not made the knockout stage.
South Africa are set for the tournament, where they have been placed in Group A alongside the co-hosts, hoping to get the needed result that will see them get into the knockout phase. The country has never made it past the initial phase in the competition, and this will be a massive chance for them to show the world what they are made of.
The tacticians have been in charge of Amakhosi since Nasreddine Nabi left just as the season began. Both coaches were assistants to Nabi but were left untouched when the Soweto giants parted ways with the Nedbank Cup-winning Tunisian. Although they have led Chiefs to a historical milestone in the CAF Confederation Cup, their reign has been described as a disaster in waiting for the club.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions, Masandawana, are getting stiff competition from the Soweto giants, the Buccaneers, who have been consistent in their bid to win the South African top-flight football. The Brazilians have been dominating the top tier for almost a decade, where they have been crowned nine times.
The South African national team is just a few days away from departing for Morocco, where they will continue their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off on December 21. For a certain PSL right-back, who has earned a place in Hugo Broos’ 25-man squad, a new chapter begins. He will be aiming to see his career reach new heights while gaining valuable experience on the continental stage.
The Soweto giants square off against Bahlabane ba Ntwa in the Carling Knockout final at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, aiming to end the season on a high after also being guaranteed to end the year as Premier Soccer League leaders. Having already lifted the MTN8 in October, the Buccaneers are chasing a second major trophy this term as they seek to continue as domestic football's Cup Kings.
South Africa find themselves in seemingly challenging Group B at the continental tournament alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe. Navigating through this pool will be crucial if they are to reach the knockout rounds. They are determined to improve on their previous campaign, where they secured a bronze medal. However, doubts have surfaced after an experienced coach questioned the squad selected by the Belgian tactician. That scrutiny has added extra pressure on the team to prove their capabilities on the big stage.
As we reach the halfway mark of another PSL season, old failings are emerging for the Glamour Boys as they struggle to find cohesion in the final third. Is this a recruitment problem, a tactical issue or perhaps a complex combination of both?
The Glamour Boys have had a strong run this season across all competitions after the signings they made at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. A win against TS Galaxy on Sunday will see them end the year with just two points behind leaders and traditional rivals Orlando Pirates, who have been doing quite well under Abdeslam Ouaddou. But a disappointing draw with Chippa has deflated fan expectations.
The Glamour Boys faced the Chilli Boys, hoping to get maximum points at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday night. However, it turned out to be a tough assignment against the relegation-threatened hosts who were not in the mood to lose. Amakhosi have now lost ground in their bid to win the title in the ongoing campaign.
The Premier Soccer League campaign is taking shape, and before the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals break, the favourites to win the race have been picked out. A PSL winner has tipped his former side as one of those with a high probability of conquering the league. However, the Soweto giants, despite their promising run so far, have been ruled out.
Amakhosi endured a frustrating evening as they were held to a goalless stalemate by bottom‑placed Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Wednesday, December 3. Chiefs controlled large spells of possession and carved out chances but failed to convert, leaving them to settle for a single point in their Premier Soccer League away fixture.
The majority of the teams are working hard to realise their objectives, with the Premier Soccer League table taking shape ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break scheduled from late December to mid-January next year. One of the sides that have been doing well are Babina Noko, who are surprising many with their run in the league.
TS Galaxy
