SA star Luther Singh scored his ninth goal of the season in Cyprus, in what turned out to be a weekend of mixed fortunes for most Mzansi stars abroad.
Thapelo Maseko and Luther Singh were both introduced in the second half as AEL Limassol beat E.N Paralimniou 2-1. Singh scored from a penalty to secure AEL Limassol’s key win at the Alphamega Stadium in a Cypriot First Division match played on Friday.
In the Austrian Bundesliga, Yusuf Maart played the entire match, while Antonio van Wyk lasted 88 minutes for SV Ried when they drew 1-1 with GAK 1902 at the Liebenauer Stadium.
Samukele Kabini was not in action over the weekend as he is serving his suspension. His team, Molde FK, drew 1-1 against IK Start in a Norwegian Eliteserien match played at Sør Arena on Sunday.
In the 2. Bundesliga, defender Ime Okon played the entire match as Hannover 96 drew 1-1 with Paderborn at the HDI-Arena on Saturday. Furthermore, Sphephelo Sithole was introduced in the second half as CD Tondela suffered a 2-0 defeat in a Liga Portugal match against FC Porto at Estádio do Dragão on Sunday night.
Shandre Campbell was an unused substitute as Club Brugge suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, in a Belgian Pro League match that was played at Stade Joseph Marien on Sunday.
MBOKAZI AND EX-CHIEFS STAR HADEBE FACE-OFF IN MLS
In Denmark, Gift Links in will be hoping to make a lasting impression as AGF Aarhus takes on Midtjylland in a SuperLiga match set for Monday evening at the MCH Arena. The match is slated for 19h30.
Siyabonga Ngezana will also be in action this evening in the Romanian Superliga when FCSB take on Farul at the Stadionul Viitorul.
In the Major League Soccer [MLS], Bongokuhle Hlongwane was on the bench as Minnesota United beat Portland FC 2-0 at the Allianz Field on Sunday.
Meanwhile, it was a clash between former Orlando Pirates’ Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Kaizer Chiefs’ Teenage Hadebe as FC Cincinnati and Chicago Fire FC played at TQL Stadium on Sunday. The match ended 3-3, with Mbokazi playing the whole match and Hadebe being introduced at the start of the second half.
In the USL Championship, Jammie Webber was in action as FC Tulsa drew 1-1 with Oakland Roots SC at Oakland Coliseum.
Bradley Carnell’s Philadelphia Union settled for a 0-0 draw with DC United in an MLS match played at Subaru Park on Sunday. SA defender Olwethu Makhanya was on parade for the whole match.
Luke Le Roux was not in the team as Portsmouth FC beat Leicester City FC 1-0 in an England Championship match played at Fratton Park on Saturday. In another England Championship match, Tylon Smith was not in the team as Queens Park Rangers FC lost 2-0 to Millwall at The Den on Saturday.
LYLE FOSTER’S BURNLEY SUFFER DEFEAT AS RELEGATION LOOMS
Additionally, Lyle Foster was introduced in the second half and played 27 minutes as Nottingham Forest beat Burnley FC 4-1 in a Premier League match played at the City Ground on Sunday.
The Clarets, who have won just one of their last 23 league games, now find themselves 12 points adrift of safety with only six games remaining. They are 19th in the 20-team league, with 20 points from 33 matches.
In the Saudi Pro League, Mohau Nkota will be in action on April 30th when Al-Ettifaq takes on Al Akhdoud at the Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium. They were last in action when they lost 1-0 to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on Wednesday.
Elias Mokwana will be in action on Friday, April 24th, when Al-Hazem takes on Al-Riyadh at the Al Hazm Club Stadium. Meanwhile, Ranga Chivaviro will be in action on Monday in a Saudi First Division match when Al-Adalah SC take on Al Jandal at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium.
SUNDOWNS SET TO CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Mamelodi Sundowns have made it to the CAF Champions League final for the second year running! They secured a 1-0 win over ES Tunis in the semi-final second leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with a dominant 2-0 aggregate victory.
This marks a historic win for Sundowns, who finally broke their losing streak against ES Tunis in Tunisia. Coach Miguel Cardoso’s team showed tactical discipline to triumph in the tie, with Colombian striker Brayan Leon scoring the crucial goal in the first leg.
Sundowns’ goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was also instrumental in securing the win, making crucial saves throughout the match. Masandawana will now face AS FAR in the final.
STEVE BARKER PICK KEY WIN
In the Tanzanian Premier League, Steve Barker’s Simba SC secured a 3-1 win over Namungo, a much-needed boost ahead of the Kariakoo Derby against Young Africans.
The match was played at the Majaliwa Stadium on Sunday. Rushine De Reuck started for the visitors, while Mamelodi Sundowns’ Neo Maema was a notable absentee. The win closes the gap to five points, but the pressure’s on to keep pace with league leaders Young Africans.
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