Olwethu Makhanya continues to make a massive impact at Rangers FC in the Scottish Premiership with commanding displays, while Relebohile Mofokeng is punching well above his weight in Belgium.
The Bafana Bafana defender, Makhanya, believes it was vital Rangers went into the FIFA international break on the back of a victory, as his growing influence at the heart of the defence is becoming impossible to ignore.
Derek McInnes’ men secured a 1-0 win over Celtic at Parkhead on Sunday, just seven days after the 3-0 home victory in the Premier Sports Cup, with the South African international defender impressive again as they achieved a fifth clean sheet in six matches and a fourth in a row.
OLWETHU MAKHANYA KEEPS SOARING AT RANGERS FC
Speaking to RangersTV, Makhanya said: “Coming here, we knew it would be a difficult game, and we knew we had to be 100 per cent focused for the whole game, and that’s what we did as a team.
“The supporters were shouting at us, but it was nice at Ibrox. Playing here without any supporters was difficult. Every time we got on the ball, people were shouting and trying to put us under pressure, but we stayed calm.’
He added: “It was very important [to win], especially going into the international break; we wanted to leave in a good way. For us, we want to go into this break and then pick it back up again.”
The defender thought he had scored his first goal for the club in the second half when his strike from the edge of the box hit the target. However, his celebrations were short-lived as he was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build-up to the goal. While he was gutted not to open his account for the club, he was thrilled to go into the international break with another victory.
“As soon as I scored, I wasn’t sure if I should celebrate. I knew it touched my hand, but I ran away and celebrated anyway. I told myself to come here and get a good result and put in a good performance… and I have done that.”
RELE MOFOKENG REGISTERS ASSIST IN UNION SG WIN
Meanwhile in Belgium, Relebohile Mofokeng continues to punch above his weight. The 21-year-old provided his first assist for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, setting up the opening goal in a 2-0 victory against Royal Antwerp at Bosuilstadion in Antwerp on Sunday.
The former Orlando Pirates attacker delivered an accurate cross in the 51st minute, allowing Mateo Biondić to score the opener before being substituted in the 63rd minute on Sunday.
Mofokeng continued his impressive run after scoring on Thursday when Royale Union Saint-Gilloise kicked off their UEFA Europa League campaign with a 3-0 away win at Viktoria Plzen.
He has now featured nine times across all competitions, with four starts and several impactful substitute appearances, contributing four goals and an assist.
SINGH, MOTLHALO AND SEOPOSENWE ALSO ON TARGET
In Cyprus, Luther Singh sent a timely message to Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane after scoring to double AEL Limassol’s lead against Cypriot side at Stelios Kyriakides Stadium on Friday. Singh will link up with Bafana for the upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Banyana Banyana star Linda Motlhalo continued her fine form for Glasgow City FC Women, scoring in their 4-1 victory over Partick Thistle at Petershill Park on Saturday.
In Mexico, another Banyana star, Jermaine Seoposenwe, was in scintillating form for Monterrey Femenil, scoring and assisting in their massive 10-0 win over Necaxa at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe on Saturday. Seoposenwe now has six goals and two assists in eight league matches this season.
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