Neo Maema was on target for Steve Barker’s Simba SC while Samukele Kabini provided an assist in Norway, in a low-key weekend for Mzansi footballers abroad.
But it was a good day in the office for former Orlando Pirates star Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Puso Dithejane as their team, Chicago Fire FC, thrashed Sporting KC 5-0 in a Major League Soccer [MLS] match played at Soldier Field on Sunday.
Dithejane got his first start since crossing floors to the USA and was on parade for 61 minutes in the team’s massive victory. However, Mbokazi was on the bench.
In addition, former Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart lasted 56 minutes, while Antonio van Wyk featured for 64 minutes for SV Ried in their 1-0 loss to WSG Tirol in an Austrian Bundesliga match at Tivoli Stadion Tirol on Saturday.
IME OKON’S BUNDESLIGA DREAM ALIVE WITH HANNOVER 96
In the German Bundesliga 2, Ime Okon was on parade for the whole match on Saturday as Hannover 96 beat Karlsruher SC 3-1 at Wildparkstadion to secure a spot in Bundesliga promotion playoffs.
Hannover 96 are third in the Bundesliga 2, just one point behind second-placed SC Paderborn 07. The second-place team will earn automatic promotion to the Bundesliga.
In the MLS, Bongokuhle Hlongwane played 62 minutes as his side, Minnesota United, suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of LAFC in their own backyard, Allianz Field, on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, Bradley Carnell’s Philadelphia Union and Olwethu Makhanya remain on a downward spiral in the MLS. More so, Makhanya played the entire match as they lost 2-0 to Columbus Crew at the ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on Sunday. Sadly, that was their seventh loss in 10 league matches.
However, in the USL Championship, Jamie Webber was taken off at halftime for FC Tulsa in the USL Cup. The match against ONE Knoxville ended 1-1 in normal time and was decided on penalties. FC Tulsa lost 3-2 on penalties at ONEOK Field on Sunday.
LUKE LE ROUX GETS RARE START AT PORTSMOUTH FC
On a good note, Luke Le Roux got a rare start for his England Championship side Portsmouth FC and played the entire match as they won 3-1 away to Stoke City FC. The match was played at Bet365 Stadium on Saturday.
Nevertheless, Tylon Smith was absent as Queens Park Rangers lost 3-2 to Derby County in an England Championship match played at Loftus Road on Saturday.
In Portugal, midfielder Yaya Sithole came on as a substitute in the 61st minute for CD Tondela in the Portuguese Premier Division. They lost 2-0 at home to CD Nacional in a match played at Estádio João Cardoso on Saturday.
Iceland-based star, Thibang Phete, came on as a substitute in the 78th minute for IF Vestri in their 1-1 draw against Grindavik. The match was played at Kerecisvöllurinn on Saturday, as IF Vestri are hard-pressing for a promotion playoff spot in Iceland 1 Deild.
In the Danish SuperLiga, Gift Links played the entire match as AGF Aarhus drew 0-0 with Midtjylland on Sunday at the Ceres Park Vejlby. Additionally, Neo Maema and Rushine De Reuck were in the starting team as Simba SC beat Mlandege FC 3-0 in a Tanzanian Premier League match played at the New Amaan Complex on Sunday.
Maema scored the third goal of the match in the 89th minute, much to the happiness of SA coach Steve Barker. Additionally, he won the Man of the Match award, his second since joining Simbs SC.
FADLU DAVIDS PUNCHING ABOVE WEIGHT IN MOROCCO
In Morocco, Fadlu Davids’ Raja CA kept their title hopes alive, beating FUS Rabat 4-1 at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on Sunday. Nevertheless, Davids’ team is second in the Botola Pro 1 table with 33 points from 16 matches, one point behind leaders MAS de Fès.
In the Saudi Pro, Mohau Nkota was not in action over the weekend, with his Al-Ettifaq set to take on Al Akhdoud at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium on Thursday.
Elias Mokwana was withdrawn in the second half as Al-Hazem beat Al-Riyadh 3-2 at Al Hazm Club Stadium on Friday. They will be back in action on Tuesday at King Khalid Sport City Stadium against Neom.
In the Belgian Pro League, Shandre Campbell was not in the team as Club Brugge beat KAA Gent 2-0 at Ghelamco Arena on Sunday.
SAMUKELE KABINI PROVIDES ASSIST FOR MOLDE FK IN NORWAY
Samukele Kabini provided an assist as Molde FK beat Målerenga 5-1 in a Norwegian Eliteserien match played at Aker Stadion on Sunday. Kabini returned from his suspension, helping his team manage a massive win.
In the Cypriot First Division, Mihlali Mayambela was introduced late in the second half as Omonoia FC beat Apollon 3-2 at Alphamega Stadium on Sunday.
Furthermore, the SA duo of Luther Singh and Thapelo Maseko will be in action tonight as AEL Limassol host Anorthosis in a Cypriot First Division match to be played at Alphamega Stadium.
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