South African stars abroad delivered big performances over the weekend, with Puso Dithejane marking his return from injury with a goal for Chicago Fire FC, Rushine De Reuck netting the winner for Simba SC, and Thembi Kgatlana bagging two goals and two assists for Tigres, as Rulani Mokwena continued his perfect start in the Egyptian Premier League.
Dithejane scored his sixth goal for Chicago Fire FC to seal a 4-2 comeback win over Colorado Rapids in the club’s final road match of the regular season on Sunday at DSG Park.
Introduced in his first game back from injury, Dithejane needed just 36 seconds to make an impact. Andre Franco won possession in the centre circle before finding Robert Lewandowski, who fed Dithejane wide open in the box for the final goal in the 88th minute.
The four goals lifted Chicago to 61 goals for the season, the first time they have scored 60 or more in back-to-back seasons. Jonathan Bamba scored twice for a second straight game and Lewandowski struck his third game-winning goal of the season.
Colorado’s Morgan Whittaker opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, but Bamba equalised before halftime, tapping home a deflected cross from right-back Jonathan Dean.
Bamba put Chicago briefly ahead in the second half, finishing another Dean cross after a move involving Philip Zinckernagel. Colorado equalised seconds later.
Lewandowski, who came on as a substitute just after the hour mark, changed the complexion of the game, scoring the third goal in the 74th minute before assisting Dithejane for the fourth in the 88th minute. In addition, revered SA defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was in action for Chicago Fire FC.
RUSHINE DE REUCK PUNCHING ABOVE WEIGHT AT SIMBA SC
Rushine De Reuck was named Man of the Match after his solitary strike handed Simba SC all three points in the Tanzanian Premier League on Thursday.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns defender scored the winner as Steve Barker’s side edged Fountain Gate 1-0. Neo Maema was in the starting line-up, while Keletso Makgalwa started on the bench.
Simba will now turn their attention to their next fixture against Namungo on Monday at Uhuru Stadium.
EGYPT: RULANI MOKWENA CRUISING NICELY
SA coach Rulani Mokwena maintained his 100% record in the Egyptian Premier League as Pyramids FC secured their eighth consecutive league win.
On Thursday, Pyramids edged Wadi Degla 2-1 at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table. After eight matches, Mokwena’s side sit on 24 points, four ahead of giants Al Ahly.
Banyana Banyana star Thembi Kgatlana continued her scintillating form in the Liga MX Femenil, scoring twice and providing two assists as Tigres UANL thrashed Atlas 7-0 at Estadio Jalisco on Saturday.
The in-form attacker has now been directly involved in 15 goals, with 11 goals and four assists.
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