The Free State Stars Chronicle
Player ratings17 Aug 2026
Andile Ngcobo runs at them all day
Successful dribbles: 30. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
Market17 Aug 2026
Not going: Andile Billiat stays at Free State Stars
“I know what people will say. I know what I want, and it is here.” Remo Stars had the fee agreed and the shirt ready; they did not have the player, and now they will not.
Market17 Aug 2026
Free State Stars say no — this time
The offer from Ghazl El Mahalla for Hlompho Phiri was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
Transfer targets17 Aug 2026
Fee done, terms next for Wandile Bophela
Free State Stars and Orlando Pirates have settled on $42.0K. The rest belongs to the player and his agent, and a supporter who has watched one of these before knows not to buy the shirt yet.
Market17 Aug 2026
Bongani Vilakazi attracts admirers
The name of Bongani Vilakazi has come up in conversations Free State Stars were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Transfer targets17 Aug 2026
Gomolemo Kekana is a medical away from Free State Stars
The deal with Mamelodi Sundowns is done in every sense but the one that puts him on the pitch. Nothing goes wrong at this stage, except on the occasions when it does.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Tempers go at Free State Stars
Bongani Vilakazi was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Ronwen Zungu falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
The dugout17 Aug 2026
Andile Ngcobo gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
In brief
- Player ratings Ninety minutes of Gift Khune at his very best
- Squad No place for Shungu Dutiro in the new shape
- Squad Teboho Mkhize stays put