Former Kaizer Chiefs star Ranga Chivaviro and Rowan Human led the way for South Africans abroad this weekend, standing tall as the only Mzansi players to score in foreign leagues.
Chivaviro was on target again for Al-Adalah, albeit in their 2-1 loss, scoring the opening goal against Al-Arabi in a Saudi Arabia First Division match played at the King Abdullah Stadium on Sunday night. He has now scored six goals in seven matches.
Elsewhere, Sphephelo Sithole‘s CD Tondela threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against Estoril in the Portuguese Premier League at the Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Saturday. Yaya Sithole was subbed off in stoppage time.
BANYANA BANYANA STARS SQUARE OFF IN MEXICO
In Mexico, Banyana Banyana stars Amogelang Motau and Jermaine Seopesenwe faced off in the Mexican Liga MX. Motau played the entire match for Club Tijuana, while Seopesenwe came on as a substitute for Monterrey, as they won 2-0 at Cancha El Barrial.
On Wednesday, Thapelo Maseko scored the winning goal for AEL Limassol, sealing a 2-1 win in a Cyprus Cup quarter-final match over Omonia Nicosia.
Luther Singh and Maseko were not in action over the weekend in the Cypriot First Division. They will be in action on Monday evening when AEL Limassol take on Digenis Ipsona at Antonis Papadopoulos. More so, Mihlali Mayambela was not in action as Omonoia FC beat Pafos 4-2 at Stelios Kyriakides Stadium on Sunday evening.
On the other hand, Siyabonga Ngezana was not in the team as FCSB demolished Oțelul 4-1 in a Romanian SuperLiga match played at the Otelul Din Galati on Sunday night. In the Austrian Bundesliga, Yusuf Maart and Antonio Van Wyk were in action as SV Ried lost 1-0 to SK Sturm Graz at Liebenauer Stadium on Sunday.
In the German 2 – Bundesliga, Ime Okon played 77 minutes as Hannover 96 beat Holstein Kiel 3-1 at HDI-Arena on Saturday. Furthermore, Mohau Nkota was not in the Al-Ettifaq team as they beat Damac 2-0 on Friday at EGO Stadium. Elias Mokwana was also not in the Al Hazem team as they lost 2-0 to Al Ahli Saudi at King Abdullah Sport City.
In the Egyptian Premier League, Fagrie Lakay was on fire, scoring a brace and taking home the Man of the Match award as Cleopatra FC edged Ghazl Al Mahalla 3-2 at the Arab Contractors Stadium on Thursday. The win put Cleopatra FC seven points clear of second-placed Zamalek SC on the log table. Rowan Human scored the winning goal as FK Partizani Tirana beat KF Bylis 2-1 on Friday in a Albanian Premier League match played at the Stadiumi Adush Muçaj.
LOSING WEEKEND FOR MZANSI STARS IN ENGLAND
Lyle Foster was introduced into the English Premier League match in the 69th minute for Burnley FC in their 2-0 loss to West Ham United at Turf Moor on Saturday. In the England Championship, Luke Le Roux was an unused substitute when his side Portsmouth lost 1-0 to Preston North End FC at Deepdale on Saturday. Tylon Smith was also an unused substitute as Queens Park Rangers drew 0-0 with Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Saturday.
In the Danish League, Gift Links’ AGF will be in action on Monday night against Odense Boldklub at the Ceres Park Vejlby.
MIXED FORTUNES FOR SA COACHES IN AFRICA
Pressure continues to mount on Steve Barker after his Simba SC dropped points, playing out to a 1-1 draw against Petro de Luanda in their Group D match of the CAF Champions League on Saturday. The match was played at the Estádio 11 de Novembro.
Despite salvaging a point on the road, the result did little to improve Simba’s fortunes, as the Tanzania Premier League side remains rooted at the bottom of Group D with just two points from five matches. Simba will conclude their CAF Champions League campaign at home when they host Stade Malien in their final group fixture.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns gaffer Rulani Mokwena powered his MC Alger to a 2-1 CAF Champions League victory over Al Hilal Omdurman at the Ali La Pointe Stadium on Friday. It was a second successive win for the Algerian side in Group C to move second on the table and close the gap on leaders Al Hilal to just one point.
In Morocco’s Botola 1, Fadlu Davids was at the receiving end as Raja Casablanca lost 1-0 to CODM Meknes at Mohammed V Stadium on Sunday night. They missed out on a golden chance to lead the league. Now, they are third with 19 points, one behind Maghreb of Fez and Wydad Casablanca, respectively.
Meanwhile, US-based players that include Olwethu Makhanya, Jamie Webber, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Puso Dithejane and Mbekezeli Mbokazi are in pre-season for the 2025 season. Samukele Kabini’s Norwegian league, Eliteserien, kicks off on 14 March.
RELATED STORY: Ranga Chivaviro joins Saudi Arabia’s Al Adalah SC