The 16 Premier Soccer League teams in the Betway Premiership are edging closer to the end of a gruelling 10-month season as they prepare for their final two matchday league fixtures.
Mamelodi Sundown...
By: Mpho Sekharume
The goal difference tally may prove to be the difference to determine who will walk away as the Betway Premiership champions between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns as the l...
Siwelele FC have officially announced the sale of the player to Belgian second tier club
Siwelele Football Club has officially announced the transfer of their exciting young forward and South African Under-20 international, Siviwe Magididigi, to the Belgian side K. Beerschot V.A.
The move marks a significant milestone for the 20-year-old, who will be joining the Belgian Challenger Pro League following successful negotiations between the two clubs.
In a statement released by the club this afternoon, Siwelele FC expressed immense pride in the player's progression.
CEO Lerato Kholoanyane highlighted the rarity of such an opportunity for the player.
“Few players earn the chance to move to Europe at 20 years old, and we have every confidence that he will seize this opportunity and continue to develop his already impressive talent,” Kholoanyane said.
With the deal concluded, Magidigidi leaves the Bloemfontein-based side with the club's appreciation and respect as he begins his international career.
While the departure of a key talent is a major change, the club assured supporters that they are looking toward the future with the imminent announcement of new signings in the coming days, as they aim to reinforce the squad and deliver the results their fans expect.
South Africa was knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in the round of 16 on Sunday.
While both teams scrambled in the early stages of the match, South Africa's failure to capitalise on early opportunities proved to be costly in the end, said Faver.
“It was extremely frustrating at times. It wasn’t a match that I felt that we should have lost. Fundamentally, we got it wrong in certain areas and aspects with regard to our approach."
He added: “Those first three chances, if we are clinical and we put that away, we are three-nil up within the first 10 minutes, match sealed. Unfortunately, old habits came back to haunt us.”
Faver called for a review of the team’s approach, questioning the selection of players and the strategy employed by coach Hugo Broos.
Looking ahead to the FIFA World Cup, he says the team needs to go back to basics, starting from the technical team to the players, and make sure they are all on the same page.
“Football is about goals, and goals win you games. You put the ball in the net, you have your foot on your opponent's neck, and you have to be ruthless. It’s tournament football; there is no time to be nice, to get second chances.”
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana defender Lucky Lekgwathi says the national soccer team players should continue with the way they have been playing when they meet Zimbabwe on Monday in their last AFCON group stage match.
Lekgwathi says Bafana should not be disheartened after their narrow one-nil loss to Egypt in Morocco on Boxing Day.
“They played very well, they were unlucky not to win, obviously losing a penalty. Yeah, people can argue and say the last handball for Egypt, for me, it was a penalty. You understand, sometimes as a referee, you must balance the game; you give them the penalty, give us the penalty, but overall, I think they played very well.”
“I think it gave them confidence to go through our next game against Zimbabwe, where you know our neighbours, whenever they play against South Africa, they make sure they don’t want to lose against South Africa.”
Meanwhile, Sudan‘s dreams of reaching the knockout stages at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are also still alive.
They beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in a Group E clash to register their first victory of the tournament in Casablanca.
Following their 3-0 loss to Algeria in the first match, the Sudanese now have three points after two matches.
Equatorial Guinea have lost their two opening matches.
Group B at AFCON 2025 promises a fascinating mix of experience, ambition and unpredictability. Egypt arrive as the clear favourites, boasting a record seven continental titles and a squad packed with seasoned internationals.
South Africa, fresh from a bronze medal in 2023, aim to build on their momentum under coach Hugo Broos and challenge the Pharaohs for top spot. Angola and Zimbabwe, the group’s underdogs, have the potential to spring surprises with their resilience and team unity, making this a tightly contested pool where anything can happen.
Egypt remain the standard-bearers, not only in Group B, but on the continent. As Africa’s most decorated national side, they bring experience, pedigree and a tradition of tournament composure.
Under head coach Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs will aim to rediscover clinical edge up-front and defensive stability at the back. Their blend of seasoned internationals and technically gifted midfielders offers tactical flexibility.
As group favourites, Egypt will seek to open strongly and build momentum, though past inconsistencies mean they cannot underestimate spirited challengers like South Africa, Angola or Zimbabwe. Qualification for the knockout rounds remains their primary target.
South Africa (Bafana Bafana)
CAF Ranking: 11th
Head coach: Hugo Broos
Player to watch: Oswin Appollis
Best AFCON performance: Winners (1996)
Predicted finish: Winners
From bronze medallists in AFCON 2023 to renewed continental ambition, South Africa enter Group B with momentum and belief.
Led by coach Hugo Broos, Bafana combine tactical discipline with pace and creativity on the break. Their squad blends experienced domestic and overseas players, with recent form showing a team comfortable under pressure.
Opening against Angola on December 22 offers an early chance to set the tone. While Egypt are group favourites, Broos believes South Africa have the depth and spirit to challenge, with a realistic target of progressing to the knockout stage and a deeper run if mental toughness holds.
Angola (Black Sables)
CAF Ranking: 18th
Head coach: Patrice Beaumelle
Player to watch: Joao Milson
Best AFCON performance: Quarter-finals
Predicted finish: Group stages
Angola arrive as one of Group B’s dark horses, a team built on strength, resilience and growing chemistry.
Their qualifying campaign was marked by solid defensive organisation and effective transitions, with key attacking threat from forwards such as Mabululu. In midfield, players like Fredy Ribeiro provide protection and control.
Although they lack Egypt’s experience or South Africa’s star power, Angola’s unity and unpredictability make them dangerous. A top-two finish or a shock result is possible if they manage games tightly.
Zimbabwe (The Warriors)
CAF Ranking: 36th
Head coach: Marian Marinica
Player to watch: Tawanda Chirewa
Best AFCON performance: Group stages
Predicted finish: Group stages
Zimbabwe enter Group B as underdogs, but with collective spirit and hunger to prove themselves. Known as the Warriors, they qualified by finishing second in their group behind Cameroon — an underappreciated achievement showing grit and organisation.
Their squad blends experienced campaigners with younger talent eager to make a mark. As outsiders, Zimbabwe can play without expectation, making them dangerous in matches when opponents underestimate them. A strong defensive structure and opportunistic attack could yield surprises, though qualification will be tough.
The last time the Proteas faced India in an ODI prior to the recently-completed three-match series, they boasted a middle-order consisting of Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller.
Fast forward two years to the series decider in Vizag, and it was only Markram that remains - and that is only due to Tony de Zorzi’s hamstring injury. That is a collective loss of 309 ODI’s worth of experience. The replacements Matthew Breetzke (12) and Dewald Brevis (9) have a sum of 21 caps.
Klaasen has since retired from all forms of international cricket and both Van der Dussen and Miller will be 38 by the time the home World Cup arrives in 2027.
It would be a fair judgement to assume that neither will be there. This leaves coach Shukri Conrad with precious little time to get the likes of Breetzke, Brevis and De Zorzi (22 caps), when he returns from injury, up to speed.
It is for this reason, that despite “missing out on doing something really special”, Conrad feels his inexperienced batting line-up would have learnt invaluable lessons over the course of the last three matches.
“I'd like to think that we'll take that learnings with us and then grow from there, especially our younger batters,” Conrad said after the 2-1 defeat.
“Like I say, part of this is building towards 2027, the World Cup in South Africa. And I'd like to think that a few things are starting to fall into place for that.
“A lot of experience is built, and you gain so much more experience when you're up against the best. We were certainly up against the best over the last couple of weeks.”
Although it was India’s young gun, Yashasvi Jaiswal, that delivered the killer blow with his maiden ODI century to lead the home to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the series decider, the 23-year-old was batting between two of world’s premier white-ball batters in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
The latter was in imperious form during the three-match series with Kohli striking back-to-back centuries and an undefeated 65 in Vizag to guide Jaiswal to his milestone. Equally, Sharma struck two classy half-centuries in the series.
Conrad hoped his young batters were paying close attention to the masterclasses delivered out in the middle.
“I thought we, again, didn't get off to the best of starts, lost a wicket in the first over. But lost wickets at the most inopportune times. Whenever we looked like we were getting something together, we'd lose an in-batter,” he said.
“Towards the back end, when Dewaldt and Marco (Jansen) get out in the same over to Kuldeep, you end up 40-50 runs shy of where you potentially could have been. Therein lies the learnings for us, for our young batters to see what the world's best does, ie Virat and Rohit, how they go about the business.
“They're a world-class side with world-class players. When Rohit's in the type of form, and Virat especially in the type of form that he's in, you cannot afford to be off your game.”
Bafana Bafana’s AFCON squad combines youth and experience, with newcomers Shandre Campbell, pictured, and Tylon Smith joining seasoned internationals, while notable names such as Themba Zwane and Iqraam Rayners miss out.
Bafana Bafana are set to embark on what could be one of their most important Africa Cup of Nations campaigns, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco next month.
The national team returns to the continental stage as bronze medalists, a position they will be eager to improve upon. South Africa’s last AFCON triumph came in 1996, and while subsequent teams have come close, none have managed to replicate that golden era.
This tournament offers a significant opportunity not only to chase continental glory but also to serve as an important preparatory stop ahead of next year’s Fifa World Cup.
Coach Hugo Broos named a 25-man squad on Monday, with only 23 players travelling to Morocco. The selection blends experienced internationals with emerging talent, while some key players have been left out.
Mduduzi Shabalala, Thabo Moloisane, and Iqraam Rayners make up the untravelling reserves. The squad reflects a careful balance, providing depth and flexibility while also giving younger players the chance to gain experience at the senior level.
There are a few eye-catching omissions, but Broos has also introduced fresh talent, signaling his intent to prepare a team capable of both immediate impact and long-term development.
Here we will break down some of the eye-catching inclusions and omissions.
For the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, selection was always going to be touch and go. Despite his undeniable quality, a recent injury may have cost him a spot in the squad, even though he has returned to action for his club.
At 36 years old, Zwane’s inclusion would have been crucial, as, just like every player selected and those that have missed out, they know the tournament will play a key role in booking a ticket to the global tournament, and while the door is not closed, his omission will cut deep.
The Belgian Pro League player has been rewarded for his progress since leaving Supersport United to join Club Brugge last year. While his role in Morocco may largely be to gain experience, it also presents a chance to learn from senior players and push for a potential World Cup selection as he continues his development.
The former Stellenbosch FC reserves midfielder has grown in leaps and bounds, and his selection may have surprised some, considering the consistency of the squad during World Cup qualifiers. Smith, who was named Player of the Tournament at the recent U20 AFCON, will now have the chance to compete alongside South Africa’s best players at the senior tournament, gaining invaluable experience that could accelerate his growth at Queens Park Rangers and beyond.
Despite consistently strong performances, Iqraam Rayners will have to watch from home. The former Stellenbosch striker has scored nine goals across all competitions, but selection preferences have left him on the sidelines, with only a late forced change providing a chance to make the squad for the tournament.
Bafana Bafana will open their campaign against Angola on 22 December, face Egypt on Boxing Day, and conclude the group stage against neighbours Zimbabwe on 29 December. With a blend of youth, experience, and tactical balance, Broos’ squad will aim to make a strong statement in Morocco while laying a solid foundation for South Africa’s ambitions on the world stage.
After a 3-year spell without a major trophy to call their own, the Flexbrands Knights have emphatically ended their silverware drought by clinching the CSA T20 Knockout title in a dramatic and rain-affected final at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. The 11-run victory over the determined Eastern Cape Iinyathi on Monday, which was forced into a reserve day due to poor weather, was a testament to the team’s balance, individual brilliance, and, crucially, the deep well of experience within their ranks. This championship confirms the Knights’ resurgence and sends a clear message that they are a force ready to challenge again at the highest level of South African domestic cricket. The foundation of the victory was laid by a calculated batting display that saw the Knights post a respectable total of 155 for seven. This score, achieved after resuming their innings on the reserve day, might have seemed twenty runs short to some, but it owed everything to the patience and composure of opener Isaac Dikgale. While the high-risk T20 format often demands aggression, Dikgale provided the indispensable anchor, batting through the entire twenty overs to finish unbeaten on 57 runs from 51 deliveries. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, ensuring that wickets did not tumble in clusters and providing a launchpad for the middle-order hitters. Partnering him to inject much-needed pace was the explosive Gerrit Snyman, who thrashed a vital 26 runs off just 14 balls, setting an aggressive tone that lifted the scoring rate just when the Iinyathi bowlers were beginning to find rhythm. Despite the solid total, the final was far from over. The Eastern Cape side began their chase with confidence, led by Nathan Roux, and the match remained on a knife-edge well into the second half of the innings. It was here, in the pressure cooker of the chase, that the individual heroics merged seamlessly with collective experience to turn the tide. Snyman, not content with his batting contribution, stepped up to deliver a decisive spell of offspin with the ball in hand. In the 13th over, Snyman engineered a monumental swing in momentum, trapping two set batsmen leg-before-wicket (LBW) with just two deliveries. This double strike was the moment the Iinyathi’s momentum was broken, collapsing their run rate and forcing the remaining batsmen to take highrisk chances against a tightening field. The effectiveness of this breakthrough was cemented by the added composure of the bowling attack in the death overs, where the experience of veterans like Malusi Siboto proved quite invaluable. Having faced countless high-pressure situations throughout his career, Siboto led the charge, ensuring that even as the opposition tried to scramble for runs, the lines and lengths remained disciplined. He received excellent support from the pace of Sisanda Magala, who kept the run scoring in check with tight figures, proving that in a final, wickets and control are equally important. The Knights might have felt they could have posted more runs on tje day, but it was the collective experience of the bowling unit that truly shone through under extreme pressure. This allowed them to execute their plans precisely when the contest was at its most critical phase. The Iinyathi ultimately fell short, finishing on 144 for six, leaving the Knights to celebrate an 11-run win that was thoroughly earned through balanced teamwork, a great collaborative effort from Dikgale and Snyman, as well as the calm guidance of their experienced leadership. This victory is not just a trophy, but a powerful statement of intent for the coming seasons. After the momentous triumph, the Knights will now enjoy a short break before their focus immediately shifts back to the CSA 4-Day Series. The long-format competition is their next major goal as it provides them the platform to pursue promotion back to top flight cricket in Division One. The Mangaug outfit returns to action on Thursday, 11 December 2025, when they travel to the Diamond Oval in Kimberley to face their provincial rivals, the Northern Cape Heat, in what is sure to be a fiercely contested match.
