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An all-South African football affair set to light up the MLS

It will be an all-South African football affair in the highly-rated Major League Soccer [MLS] on Sunday morning.

Bafana Bafana stars Njabulo Blom and Bongokuhle Hlongwane are set to clash when St Louis City take on Minnesota United on Sunday.

This will be the first time the two highly-rated players meet in this league. Former Kaizer Chiefs star Blom is in his maiden MLS season at St Louis City, while Hlongwane is in his second at Minnesota United.

It will be one exciting battle of bragging rights between the two players who also form the backbone of the South African squad.

HOW NJABULO BLOM AND BRADLEY CARNELL HAVE FARED

Bradley Carnell
Bradley Carnell is in his maiden Major League Soccer as head coach. Photo by St Louis City

St Louis City coach Bradley Carnell, a former Bafana defender, will hope to win the battle of wits against the Minnesota tactician Adrian Heath.

Carnell has been trailblazing in his first season as a Major League Soccer [MLS] head coach after leading the team to five wins on the bounce. 

They beat Austin FC, Charlotte FC, Portland Timbers, SJ Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake.

And for Carnell, the scintillating form and morale in camp will play a massive part in spurring his team.

This South African football affair comes after Bafana booked a place in the next Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Meanwhile, Blom will likely be on parade after a brief sabbatical due to an illness. This forced him to miss the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder was out for two weeks due to an illness that was not disclosed.

On the other hand, Hlongwane hopes to carry the Bafana Bafana good vibes when he faces his compatriots. 

After five games, the former Maritzburg attacker has one goal to his name for Minnesota United.

He scored in their 1-1 draw with New York Red Bull a fortnight ago.

However, his team has had an indifferent form book, having won twice in five attempts.

How the two will fare in the South African football affair on Sunday remains to be seen. But this clash will certainly send waves across the South African football landscape.

RELATED STORY: Bongokuhle Hlongwane shares the experience of scoring in the snow

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