Thembinkosi Lorch kept knocking on the Bafana Bafana door after delivering yet another sterling performance for Wydad Casablanca over the weekend.
Lorch’s impressive form continued as he delivered a five-star performance for Wydad AC, scoring a goal and registering an assist in their 5-1 thrashing of Asante Kotoko on Friday. The match was played at Mohammed V Sports Complex.
Goals from Hamza Hannouri, Stephane Aziz Ki, Lorch, Oussama Zemraoui, and Mohamed Bouchouari secured the win for Wydad. As a result, they marched through to the CAF Confederations Cup group stage.
In Tanzania, Neo Maema and Rushine De Reuck’s Simba SC advanced to the group stage of the CAF Champions League after drawing 0-0 with Nsingizini Hotspurs at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, following a 3-0 first-leg win. The match was played on Sunday. De Reuck was in the starting eleven, while Maema was on the bench.
In Saudi Arabia, Mohau Nkota played the entire match as Al-Ettifaq lost 2-1 to Al Fateh at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium on Friday. Nkota’s team has now lost four of their last five competitive matches.
Elias Mokwana came on as a second-half substitute as Al-Hazem lost 2-0 to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on Saturday at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.
In Denmark, Gift Links played 84 minutes for AGF in their 1-0 win over Nordsjรฆlland in the Denmark Superliga at the Ceres Park Vejlby on Friday.
LYLE FOSTER POWERS BURNLEY TO VICTORY
Luke Le Roux was an unused substitute in the England Championship when Portsmouth lost 1-0 to Stoke City FC in tat Fratton Park on Saturday.
In addition, Bafana star Lyle Foster was introduced in the second half. He played 12 minutes as Burnley FC beat Wolves 3-2 in the league at the Molineux Stadium on Sunday.
Foster scored Burnley’s winning goal in additional time, securing his second goal of the season. Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Marshall Munetsi scored Wolves’ second goal. Foster has now scored two goals in eight matches.
SA duo Antonio van Wyk and Yusuf Maart played the whole match for SV Ried as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Rapid Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga at the Keine Sorgen Arena on Sunday.
In Cyprus, Mihlali Mayambela was on parade as Aris Limassol drew 1-1 with Anorthosis on Sunday at Antonis Papadopoulos. Luther Singh played 90 minutes as AEL Limassol beat Krasava Eny Ypsonas FC 1-0 on Sunday at the Alphamega Stadium.
In Portugal, Sphephelo Sithole was withdrawn after 68 minutes as CD Tondela lost 3-0 to Sporting at the Estรกdio Joรฃo Cardoso on Sunday. Additionally, Siyabonga Ngezana was not in the team as FCSB beat UTA Arad 4-0 on Sunday at the Arena Naศionalฤ.
SA COACHES MOKWENA, CARNELL AND DAVIDS PICK KEY WINS
SA coaches Rulani Mokwena and Bradley Carnell recorded key wins. Coach Rulani Mokwena led MC Alger to the group stages of the CAF Champions League despite their 0-0 draw with Colombe on Sunday.
They progressed based on away goal rules after scoring in the first leg which ended 1-1. Bradley Carnell also helped Philadelphia Union to victory over Chicago Fire on Sunday in a best-of-three first-round opener of the MLS Cup playoffs.
The match played at Subaru Park ended 2-2 and had to be settled via penalties, with Philadelphia Union winning 4-2.
Meanwhile, SA coach Fadlu Davids recorded a win in Morocco’s Botola Pro League as Raja Athletic beat Olypique Dcheira 1-0 at the Stade Mohamed V on Saturday.
RELATED STORY:Former Chelsea star joins Lorch at Wydad