South African footballers abroad: A disappointing weekend
It was a disappointing weekend for South African footballers plying their trade in various leagues across the globe as they failed to make a significant impact on the field.
Despite the return from the international break, no SA player managed to find the back of the net, and only one managed to keep a clean sheet.
Wydad AC, the club of Rulani Mokwena and Cassius Mailula, were held to a 1-1 draw against fierce rivals Raja Casablanca in a league match on Friday. The result was disappointing, especially considering the high stakes of the fixture.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane, meanwhile, featured for Minnesota United in their 6-2 defeat to LA Galaxy in the Cup Conference semi-finals. Despite his appearance, which lasted for 71 minutes, Hlongwane couldn’t prevent his team from crashing out of the competition.
PERCY TAU, SHANDRE CAMPBELL AND GIFT LINKS FAIL TO IMPRESS
Attacker Percy Tau didn’t make a great impact as his side Al Ahly played out to a 1-1 draw against Al-Ittihad on Friday evening away from home. The Lion of Judah was introduced late in the game and played 13 minutes.
Elias Mokwana didn’t feature for his side Esperance as they played out to a 1-1 stalemate against US Ben Guerdane in the league on the road on Friday.
Gift Links didn’t feature as his team, Aarhus GF, suffered a 1-0 defeat in the league on Friday. Striker Khanyisa Mayo was an unused substitute as CR Belouizdad defeated rivals MC Alger 3-1 in a league match on Friday.
Shandre Campbell’s side Club NXT were hammered 4-0 on Friday. Club NXT were defeated by KAS Eupen in their backyard in the Challenger Pro League. The 19-year-old played for 56 minutes.
Bafana star Siyabonga Ngezana helped his team, FCSB, to win 3-0 on Sunday afternoon. The Bafana Bafana star played the whole match. On the other hand, midfielder Luke Le Roux was in action as his team FK Värnamo won 1-0 on Sunday. Varnamo was playing at home against Landskrona in the league, and Le Roux played the entire game.
In addition, midfielder Thabo Cele missed out as his team, Fakel Voronezh, drew 1-1 against Dynamo Moscow on Sunday. Cele’s team was playing at home, and he was not even on the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, Simon van Duivenbooden was in action on Friday. His team, Vitesse, were defeated 6-0 by Cambuur in the league at home. He played the whole 90 minutes.
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