Soccer Club Magazine – May 2026

Summary

Mark Gleeson's May 2026 issue of Soccer Club Magazine — Issue 185 — leads with a Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates cover as the Betway Premiership title race goes down to the wire, the Nedbank Cup final approaches, and Bafana Bafana prepares for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The South African football monthly runs 58 pages with 10 feature articles.

Gleeson's "From the Clubhouse" column celebrates a season where Sundowns' dominance was finally challenged — Chiefs and Pirates both pushed the champions, reviving a league that had grown stale. The CAF Champions League finals get the numbers treatment: 29 total finals appearances by Egyptian clubs, Al Ahly's 71% success rate in finals, and the USD 4 million prize money for champions. Features include "European's Elite" on the UEFA Champions League final, "Bafana Build-Up" on World Cup preparation, and "Global Greats" profiling international tournament stars. "French Connection" remembers Bafana's 1998 World Cup debut. "Match-Winners" covers Nedbank Cup final heroes. "Super Stadia" previews the 2026 World Cup stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Subscriber benefits include R50 free monthly airtime and R500 grocery savings through exclusive coupons.

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Content Guide

▸ Features

p.14 · Europe's Elite
UEFA Champions League final preview. The European season's climax covered for the South African fan who follows both hemispheres.

p.16 · Bafana Build-Up
South Africa's World Cup preparation examined. Squad selection, friendly results and the tactical approach for the tournament.

p.20 · Global Greats
Stars to watch at the international competition. A who's-watch guide for South African fans planning their World Cup viewing.

p.26 · French Connection
Remembering Bafana Bafana's World Cup debut in 1998. The nostalgia piece that connects a generation of fans to the current squad.

p.32 · Match-Winners
Nedbank Cup final heroes profiled. The players most likely to decide South Africa's biggest domestic cup match.

p.46 · Super Stadia
The 2026 World Cup stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Venue guide for any South African planning to travel.

▸ Regulars

p.4 · From the Clubhouse
Gleeson on why Chiefs and Pirates challenging Sundowns saved the PSL season. A league without real competition is a stale product.

p.8 · Numbers: CAF Champions League
Al Ahly's 71% final win rate, the USD 4 million prize, and South Africa's six final appearances. The data behind Africa's biggest club competition.

p.39 · Did You Know?
Subscriber benefits and TFG Connect integration. R50 free monthly airtime for every subscriber.

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Editor's Take

Gleeson's Soccer Club is the essential South African football monthly, and this pre-World Cup issue earns that status. The "From the Clubhouse" column is the best editorial voice in SA football media — honest about Sundowns near-monopoly, fair to all parties. The CAF Champions League numbers feature is genuinely useful reference material. The World Cup preview content ("Bafana Build-Up," "Global Greats," "Super Stadia") gives readers everything they need for the tournament in one issue. But the UEFA Champions League feature feels imported — it lacks the SA angle that every other piece carries. The subscriber benefit pages (airtime, grocery coupons) take up too much space for a paying reader. Best for: any South African football fan preparing for the World Cup or following the domestic title race.

Strengths
• Gleeson's editorial voice is the best in SA football media
• CAF Champions League numbers feature is a reference keeper
• World Cup preview content is comprehensive

Weaknesses
• UCL feature lacks a South African angle
• Subscriber benefits pages eat into editorial space

Verdict: Recommended — The essential SA football monthly, especially valuable in a World Cup year.