SA coach Bradley Carnell suffered the heaviest defeat in his tenure at Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union in what turned out to be a low-key weekend for most Mzansi stars abroad.
Carnell received a rude awakening as he endured a 7-0 loss at the hands of Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a match that was played at BC Place on Sunday.
German star player Thomas Muller scored three times and provided an assist for the marauding Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Emmanuel Sabbi notched a brace, as Mathias Laborda and Rayan Elloumi scored the other two goals.
SA defender Olwethu Makhanya missed the match as he was not in the team. However, Philadelphia Union remain at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference with 57 points after 30 matches. They are two points ahead of FC Cincinnati.
Additionally, Bongokuhle Hlongwane played the entire match as Minnesota United beat San Diego FC 3-1 in the MLS. The game was played at the Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday. Meanwhile, Ex-Sekhukhune United midfielder Jamie Webber was withdrawn after 81 minutes of play as FC Tulsa lost 1-0 to New Mexico United in the USL Championship. The match was played at the RGCU Field at Isotopes Park on Sunday.
In Romania, Siyabonga Ngezana was on the bench as FCSB played out to a 1-1 draw with Csikszereda at the Stadionul Municipal on Sunday night.
Midfielder Luke Le Roux played 14 minutes for Portsmouth as they drew 0-0 with Southampton at the St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday. This was an EFL Championship match.
LYLE FOSTER’S BURNLEY DOWNED BY LIVERPOOL
Lyle Foster lasted for 86 minutes as Burnley FC suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at Turf Moor in the Premier League. Mohamed Salah scored a penalty in injury time to secure the win on Sunday. Moreso, Gift Links was on parade for the whole match on Sunday as AGF beat Viborg 2-1 at Viborg Stadium.
Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart played the entire match as SV Ried lost 2-0 to Hartberg on Sunday at the Keine Sorgen Arena. Meanwhile, his compatriot, Antonio Van Wyk, was not in the matchday squad.
Former SuperSport United starlet Shandre Campbell was introduced after 84 minutes of play when Club Brugge lost 1-0 to La Louviere in the Belgian top flight. The match was played at the Easi Arena on Saturday.
Defender Samukelo Kabini was on parade for the entire match for Molde FK on Saturday. Sadly, they lost 2-1 to Fredrikstad in the Norwegian Eliteserien, a game played at Aker Stadion.
Furthermore, Bafana Bafana defender Ime Okon’s Hannover 96 were handed a heavy 3-0 defeat by Hertha BSC in the league. Okon played the entire match at the HDI-Arena.
In Egypt, Fagrie Lakay played 86 minutes as Ceramica Cleopatra edged Smouha 1-0 at the Suez Canal Stadium on Saturday. Sodiq Olamilekan Awujoola scored the all-important goal.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns star Thembinkosi Lorch was introduced after 56 minutes of play when Wydad AC beat Kawkab Marrakech 1-0 at the Stade Mohammed V on Friday.
DREAM DEBUT FOR XOLANI COSSA IN BOTSWANA
In Botswana, Chiefs loanee Xolani Cossa had a delightful debut in the Botswana Premier League. He scored the goal that helped Black Lions FC beat Matebele FC 1-0 at the Royal Aria Stadium on Saturday. That was their first win of the season. Black Lions FC is coached by veteran coach Owen Da Gama, while Matebele FC are under the guidance of Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
In Saudi Arabia, Elias Mokwana played 74 minutes as his Al-Hazem lost 1-0 to Al-Shabab. The match was played at the Al Shabab FC Stadium on Friday. Additionally, Mohau Nkota played 81 minutes for Al-Ettifaq in their 0-0 draw against Al-Ahli Saudi at the Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium on Friday.
On the women’s side, Banyana Banyana stars Linda Motlhalo and Bongeka Gamede scored for Glasgow City FC and FC Nordsjælland. This was in the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup on Wednesday night.
Gamede opened the scoring for Nordsjaelland Women as they beat KuPS Kuopio 3-1. Meanwhile, Motlhalo scored for Glasgow City FC in their 3-0 win over Athlone Town.
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