All the news on South African players representing international club teams abroad.
Bafana Bafana striker Tokelo Rantie has helped his Swedish side Malmo open up a three-point lead at the top of the Swedish standings after a 3-1 victory over IFK Göteborg on Sunday. Malmo are ahead of May Mahlangu’s Helsingborg with nine rounds left in the League season in what is fast becoming a two-horse race.
Meanwhile, in the second tier, Ayanda Nkili’s Orebro stayed on course for promotion when they beat Varbergs 2-1 to hold on to top spot.
South African-born goalkeeper Dani Amos got his Israeli League season off to a decent start with new club Hapoel Tel Aviv as he kept a clean-sheet in a 0-0 draw with Bnei Sakhin.
Dino Ndlovu was on the bench for Maccabi Haifa as they won 3-1 at home to Ironi Kiryat Shmona.
Sergio Marakis came off the bench for Portuguese top-flight side Maritimo in their 3-0 loss to Porto. It follows another sub appearance in the 2-1 win over Benfica last weekend, part of a tough start to the campaign for the side.
Kamohelo Mokotjo’s dream start to the new season continued as his PEC Zwolle side won 2-0 at home to Cambuur to move to the top of the Eredivisie standings with four wins from four matches. The midfielder played the entire 90 minutes in the impressive victory.
There was some good game-time for Ajax Amsterdam’s Thulani Serero this weekend as he continues to push for a starting place at the Dutch giants. Serero came on at halftime on Friday night as they let a two-goal lead slip and then came back to draw 3-3 at Heerenveen.
Anele Ngcongca started for Genk as they beat Cercle Brugge on Sunday to end a run of consecutive defeats and move back into the top six.
Darren Keet’s Kortijk lost 2-1 at home to Mechelen in the Belgian League as their patchy start to the campaign continues, while Ayanda Patosi’s Lokeren were surprise 2-1 losers at OH Leuven. Patosi is still not fit enough for the match-day squad.
Ricardo Nunes was used on the left wing as his Slovakian side Zilina won 2-0 at home to defending League champions Slovan Bratislava.
Kagisho Dikgacoi suffered disappointment as his Crystal Palace side let a first half lead slip and were beaten 2-1 by Stoke City in the English Premiership. ‘KG’ played the full game for The Eagles, who have now started the season with back-to-back defeats.
It was also a frustrating weekend for Steven Pienaar as his Everton side twice hit the woodwork in their 0-0 home draw against West Brom.
Bongani Khumalo’s Doncaster Rovers were leading Charlton Athletic 3-1 in the Championship when the game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch. Rovers players were so keen for the game to continue that they attempted to help ground staff clear the water themselves, but the match was called off at halftime. Khumalo started at centreback, with Dean Furman on the bench.
Peterborough United, with Kgosi Ntlhe at left-back, made it four wins from four this season when they thumped Tranmere Rovers 5-0 in League One. They are looking like early favourites for a return to the Championship, with Ntlhe central to those plans.