The domestic competition is set to have a new winner after the defending champions, Kaizer Chiefs, were eliminated. The Round of 16 matches concluded on Sunday with more teams booking their places in the quarter-final. Babina Noko, who are also mathematically in the Premier Soccer League title race, progressed in this knockout competition.
When the Rockets revealed that their match against the Tshwane giants will be hosted at a ground situated about 73 km from Pretoria, there were murmurs. In a packed Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, the Mpumalanga-based outfit knocked out Masandawana. Consequently, Miguel Cardoso's side saw their dream of claiming a domestic Cup this season end after earlier setbacks in the Carling Knockout and MTN8.
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.
Masandawana's inconsistency this season was exposed again after falling to the Rockets in a domestic knockout competition. After two consecutive morale-boosting wins against Orlando Pirates and MC Alger, many expected the Tshwane giants to sweep their cup rivals aside, but that was not the case. The elimination is set to add more pressure on the coach at a time the season is heading towards a vital period.
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 Brazilians had hoped to continue with their recent run both in the CAF Champions League, where they made the quarter-final stage, as well as the Premier Soccer League after beating Orlando Pirates to reduce the gap to three points. However, they were humbled by the Rockets, who are now dreaming big following their triumph.
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.
Before the Africa Cup of Nations finals, the 27-year-old was a prominent starter for the Soweto giants. However, since returning from Morocco, he has been a peripheral figure at a time when the Sea Robbers are hunting crucial points. His absence has raised numerous questions, and now a club legend has hinted there could be a problem between the midfielder and his coach.
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.
The South African tactician had an ambition of having a successful debut campaign with the Algerian giants. However, one of his targets will not be achieved after the Algiers-based outfit was eliminated from the continental inter-club competition. After suffering the CAF setback, upon resumption of the domestic duty, Mokwena's club was handed another one.
The Brazilians are chasing a treble this season after missing out on the MTN8 and Carling Knockout. Masandawana players are full of motivation thanks to their recent massive results in both the CAF Champions League and the Premier Soccer League. They will be going for nothing less than a win on Saturday against the Rockets.
The Brazilians are seemingly back to their best if recent results are anything to consider. Masandawana will be back in action in the domestic assignment this weekend when they face the Rockets at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium. Victory will be vital for the Tshwane giants, who are chasing three crowns this edition.
After struggling for form earlier this season and slipping into a bit-part role at the Brazilians, the 24-year-old has picked himself up by forcing his way back into contention for regular football with some consistency and top performances. His resurgence could soon earn him a recall to the national team.
As Amakhosi and Bucs focus only on domestic trophies, Masandawana are set for a very demanding calendar. Downs are not only juggling both continental and domestic assignments but are also facing considerable pressure from the Soweto giants in the league title race. Amid unrelenting challenge from their rivals, the million-dollar question remains whether the Brazilians can withstand the storm and maintain their top-flight dominance.
The Rockets had their hands tied in the market, leaving them unable to properly strengthen their squad. Their predicament was compounded by their status as a selling club, with key stars departing and no adequate replacements arriving. This left them vulnerable, but the problem has been fixed for them to add depth to their squad ahead of the more taxing part of the season.
The Colombian forward is turning out to be a massive signing for the Tshwane giants. In key games, the striker has risen to the occasion and lifted the Brazilians when it mattered the most. He played a crucial role again as the Pretoria heavyweights outclassed their PSL title race rivals.
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 Brazilians faced off against the Buccaneers in the unfamiliar role of slight underdogs at the iconic FNB Stadium on Wednesday night in a crucial Premier Soccer League outing. However, at the final whistle, it was the Pretoria-based team who walked away with maximum points against their hosts, who should have done better with a slew of chances, especially in the first half. Afterwards, the Portuguese tactician was glowing in his praise for his side and what the result does to their title ambitions.
The 53-year-old former Esperance tactician is seemingly getting it right at Masandawana after a heavy storm in the initial games. After just two outings in five days across all competitions, the Brazilians are in the CAF Champions League quarter-final and are now just three points behind the Buccaneers in the Premier Soccer League title race with a game in hand.
The possible return of the experienced gaffer to Chloorkop has been quite a hot topic over the recent weeks. With Miguel Cardoso struggling to steady the ship, reports have linked the former Al Ahly tactician to his former club. The three-time CAF Champions League winner has responded to the rumours and revealed the team he would like to coach next.
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.
After engaging in the Nedbank Cup campaign, teams turned their focus to the Premier Soccer League campaign. Orlando Pirates widened the gap at the top with a win over Marumo Gallants, while Babina Noko's result affected Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns, who were focused on their respective CAF campaigns. At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is heating up.
Babina Noko goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner has come out with a bold statement of intent that his Limpopo-based side are looking to 'win all our remaining games' and put their hands on, not one, but both of the domestic trophies still available to them.
The veteran coach has fired back at critics accusing him of orchestrating coaching changes at Durban City FC following their Betway Premiership promotion. This follows his clashes with Gavin Hunt, which led to the former Kaizer Chiefs coach being dismissed, and his replacement Sinethemba Badela also being dismissed after just three games in charge.
Clubs are currently working hard to achieve their goal in the second half of the season. It explains why the tacticians are under pressure to deliver, with those failing to deliver getting replaced by the management. Most South African top-tier teams are competing in both top-flight games and the Nedbank Cup.
The Soweto outfits ended the week on the back foot following disappointing results in their respective Sunday morning fixtures. The Buccaneers were forced to settle for a single point, while Amakhosi suffered a heavy defeat in a five-goal encounter that compounded their struggles.
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