Thembinkosi Lorch started his tenure at Libya’s Al Ittihad SC on fire, scoring on his debut, while Ranga Chivaviro, Thembi Kgatlana, and Antonio Van Wyk made waves abroad over the weekend.
Lorch scored the winning goal in his debut match for Libyan club Al Ittihad SC, guiding his team to a 1-0 win over Al Shomoa in the Libyan Cup. His 83rd minute goal decided the match which was played at Borg El Arab Stadium on Sunday evening.
Antonio Van Wyk scored for SV Ried in their 1-1 draw against LASK in the Austrian Bundesliga at Keine Sorgen Arena on Saturday. Van Wyk was withdrawn in the second half, while former Kaizer Chiefs man Yusuf Maart was on parade throughout the match.
Ranga Chivaviro scored the opening goal as Al-Adalah threw away a two-goal lead against Al Orobah, settling for a 2-2 draw in a Saudi First Division match played at Al-Oruba Club Stadium on Saturday. Furthermore, that was Chivaviro’s seventh goal in eight matches.
In the Saudi Pro League, Mohau Nkota was not in the team as his Al-Ettifaq suffered a 2-0 defeat to Al Hilal Saudi Club on Friday at Kingdom Arena. Furthermore, Elias Mokwana was introduced in the second half as Al-Hazem beat Al Akhdoud 2-1 at Al Hazm Club Stadium.
DRY SPELL FOR SA STARS IN EUROPE
In England, Lyle Foster lasted 90 minutes as Burnley suffered a 2-1 defeat to League One side Mansfield Town in an FA Cup fourth-round tie played at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Tylon Smith was again on the bench as Queens Park Rangers FC suffered a 3-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in an England Championship match played at Loftus Road in London on Saturday.
In addition, Luke Le Roux was introduced in the 65th minute as Portsmouth suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United in an England Championship match played at Fratton Park on Saturday.
Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole was taken off at halftime by CD Tondela in their 1-1 draw against Alverca in the Portuguese Premier League. The match was played at the Estádio João Cardoso on Friday.
In the Cypriot First Division, Mihlali Mayambela was not in the team on Saturday as Omonoia FC beat Enosis Neon Paralimni 3-0 at GSP Stadium. Additionally, Luther Singh and Thapelo Maseko were both in the team as AEL Limassol lost 1-0 to Pafos at Alphamega Stadium on Sunday.
In the Danish Superliga, Gift Links was on parade as AGF drew 1-1 with FC Fredericia at Fredericia Stadium on Sunday afternoon. However, Siyabonga Ngezana was not in the team this weekend, as FCSB lost 1-0 to Universitatea Craiova in a Romanian SuperLiga match played at Ion Oblemenco Stadium on Sunday night.
THEMBI KGATLANA ON TARGET IN MEXICO
Banyana Banyana star Thembi Kgatlana scored the opener for Tigres UANL in their 4-0 win over Puebla in the Mexican Liga MX Femenil on Friday. The match was played at Estadio Universitario. This was her second goal of the season after 7 league matches.
In the Belgian First Division B, Siviwe Magidigidi was on the bench for Beerschot, as they lost 1-0 to Cassius Mailula’s side KV Kortrijk. The match was played at Guldensporenstadion in Kortrijk.
Additionally, Shandre Campbell was on the bench as Club Brugge beat Cercle Brugge 2-1 in a Belgian Pro League match played on Sunday at Jan Breydel Stadium.
MIXED FORTUNES FOR SA COACHES IN CAF COMPETITIONS
In Morocco, Fadlu Davids guided Raja CA to top spot in the Moroccan Botola Pro League despite dropping points. They drew 0-0 with Youssoufia Berrechid at Stade Mohamed V on Friday night.
In addition, Steve Barker and his Simba SC ended their CAF Champions League campaign on a winning note after beating Stade Malien 1-0 in a Group D match played at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium. Consequently, Simba SC finished the group phase at the bottom with five points.
In the same competition, Rulani Mokwena and his MC Alger succumbed, losing 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns. The match was played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday. Mokwena and his charges ended the Group C journey with seven points. Consequently, Al-Hilal SC and Mamelodi Sundowns made it through to the quarterfinals.
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