Mokwana and Mailula open goalscoring accounts abroad
Bafana Bafana attackers Elias Mokwana and Cassius Mailula finally opened their goalscoring accounts for their respective clubs abroad on Sunday.
Esperance defeated ES Sahel 2-0 in a league encounter away from home, as Mokwana scored in the 88th minute. On the other hand, Cassius Mailula scored the only goal of the match as Wydad AC defeated FUS Rabat 1-0 away from home.
Mailula’s all-important goal has given South African coach Rulani Mokwena some much-needed breathing room as Wydad secured a vital victory. The Morrocan giants have had a slow start to the season, and Mokwena, who joined the club this year, has been under immense pressure.
The goal, scored by Mailula, who is on loan from MLS Toronto FC, has also reignited his own form. The talented forward has made 10 appearances in all competitions for Wydad, contributing one goal.
With this win, Wydad climbed to fourth place in the league standings with 14 points from nine matches.
Meanwhile, Mokwana, who has made seven appearances for the club, has also scored one goal and provided one assist.
His team is sixth on the log standings after seven games with 12 points
TAU AND CAMPBELL OFF-COLOUR IN WEEKEND LOSSES
Lyle Foster didn’t feature for Burnley FC in the English Championship on Sunday as he’s still recovering from an injury he sustained whilst with Bafana for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. The last time Foster featured for The Clarets was in October in the league against Preston North End.
Shandre Campbell’s Club NXT lost 3-1 against Lommel SK on Friday at Stadion Schiervelde. The SA Under-20 star featured for his side and played the whole 90 minutes. For Club NXT, Campbell has played four matches and scored four goals.
As for Darren Smith, he played for his side Inter Turku as they won 2-1 against FC Haka last Wednesday. He didn’t make an impression as he played 48 minutes. He’s set to leave the club when the season ends, and this season, he has scored 19 goals and provided four assists in 38 appearances in all competitions.
Attacker Luke Le Roux played for side Varnamo FC in Sweden as they won 1-0, and he played the whole 90 minutes. This season, the Bafana midfielder has played 14 matches and scored one goal.
Bafana star Percy Tau was introduced late in the match as Al Ahly hammered Ceramica Cleopatra 5-2 on Saturday at Al-Salam Stadium Cairo. Tau didn’t score or provide an assist, as he only played 10 minutes.
Striker Bongokuhle Hlongwane was in action when his side, Minnesota FC, defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1 on penalties on Sunday in the MLS Cup playoffs.
The match had ended 1-1 during regulation time. The Bafana striker failed to contribute towards a goal, but he played the full 90 minutes. In the current season, Hlongwane has played 36 games with 11 goals and four assists to his name.
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