SA star Gift Links reached a major milestone, marking his 200th appearance for Aarhus GF in the Danish SuperLiga, in a quiet weekend for Mzansi stars abroad.
Links was on parade as AGF drew 1-1 with Sønderjyske at Haderslev Fodboldstadion on Sunday. That was his 200th appearance for the club, the highest by any foreign player in the club’s history. According to Transfermarkt, the 27-year-old has managed 18 goals and 23 assists for the Danish SuperLiga outfit in 200 games.
Meanwhile, in Major League Soccer, Mbekezeli Mbokazi played the entire match for Chicago Fire FC in their 2-1 loss against DC United at Soldier Field on Sunday. Puso Dithejane was an unused substitute for Chicago Fire.
Olwethu Makhanya played the full match for Philadelphia Union in their 3-1 loss to Atlanta United FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. Things are not looking good for coach Bradley Carnell as Philadelphia Union have now lost all four of their MLS matches, and they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
TOUGH TIMES FOR BRADLEY CARNELL IN THE MLS
More so, Bongokuhle Hlongwane was on parade for 42 minutes in the second half as Minnesota United was thrashed 6-0 by Vancouver in an MLS match played at BC Place on Sunday.
In the USL Championship, Jamie Webber played the whole 90 minutes for FC Tulsa in their goalless draw against San Antonio FC at the ONEOK Field on Sunday.
Additionally, Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster lasted 56 minutes for Burnley FC in their goalless draw against Bournemouth in the English Premier League. The match was played at Turf Moor on Saturday.
In the England Championship, Tylon Smith was on the bench as Queens Park Rangers beat Leicester City 3-1 on Saturday at the King Power Stadium. Additionally, Luke le Roux’s Portsmouth will be in action on Monday night against Derby County at Fratton Park.
In the Norwegian Eliteserien, Samukele Kabini played the entire 90 minutes for Molde FK as they beat Rosenborg 2-0 at Aker Stadion on Saturday. Additionally, Antonio van Wyk was taken off at halftime, while Yusuf Maart lasted two minutes for SV Ried, who beat WSG Tirol 2-1 in the Austrian Bundesliga at Keine Sorgen Arena on Saturday.
THIRD DEFEAT IN A ROW FOR MASEKO AND SINGH IN CYPRUS
In the Cypriot First Division, Thapelo Maseko lasted 79 minutes, while Luther Singh lasted 63 minutes for AEL Limassol as they suffered a 2-1 loss to Omonia Aradippou at Alphamega Stadium on Saturday. Ultimately, this was their third defeat in a row
However, Mihlali Mayambela remains missing in action for Omonia FC due to injury. Omonia recorded a massive 5-0 win over Olympiakos at GSP Stadium on Sunday.
In the Romanian Super Liga, Siyabonga Ngezana was not in the FCSB team that drew 0-0 with Metaloglobus Bucureşti on Sunday night at the Arena Națională in Bucharest. Furthermore, Ime Okon was on the bench as Hannover 96 drew 2-2 with Schalke in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga match played at Veltins-Arena on Sunday.
In Egypt, Fagrie Lakay played the entire match on Friday as Ceramica Cleopatra were knocked out of the Egypt Cup quarter-finals by El Gaish. They lost 6-5 on penalties in a match that was played at the Arab Contractors Stadium.
NKOTA MISSING IN ACTION IN SAUDI ARABIA
Mohau Nkota was not in the team as Al-Ettifaq lost 1-0 to Al-Fayha in a Saudi Pro League match played at King Salman Sport City Stadium on Friday. In addition, Elias Mokwana played 58 minutes as Al-Hazem beat Al Kholood 2-1 at the Al Hazm Club Stadium on Thursday.
Sphephelo Sithole’s CD Tondela was not in action as their match against Sporting Lisbon was postponed. Furthermore, Fadlu Davids’ Raja CA was last in action on 8 March when they beat OC Safi 2-0 in a Moroccan Botola Pro League.
Thembinkosi Lorch‘s Al-Ittihad SC will return to action on 8 April against Shabab Al-Ghar Club in a Libyan Premier League match. Meanwhile, the Tanzanian Premier League Board postponed Simba SC’s match against TRA United due to heavy rain in Arusha, which left the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium waterlogged.
A new schedule for Steve Barker’s side is yet to be revealed. As such, Neo Maema and Rushine De Reuck were not in action.
Lastly, the likes of Linda Motlhalo, Thembi Kgatlana, and Hildah Magaia are in camp with Banyana Banyana as they prepare for the WAFCON opening match on Tuesday.
RELATED STORY: ‘I’m not planning to come back home’: Gift Links