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Huge game for Makhanya this weekend as Le Roux starts life in Belgium

Aden McCarthy was in midweek action against Manchester United in the Champions League
Aden McCarthy was in midweek action against Manchester United in the Champions LeagueMI NEWS / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane is expected to name his squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea in the coming days.

That gives overseas-based players a final chance this weekend to push for a place in the squad with strong performances for their clubs.

Here is a round-up of who is in action and when (all kick-off times are in South African Standard Time).

 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany)

Away vs 1. FC Nürnberg, Friday 18h30

Okon and Hannover are in 2. Bundesliga action on Friday evening. The 22-year-old defender has been in and out of the starting XI this season and came off the bench last weekend.

Thapelo Maseko (FC Copenhagen, Denmark)

Home vs AC Horsens, Friday 19h00

Maseko will be hoping to continue a superb start to life in Denmark after scoring twice in Copenhagen's 5-0 victory over OB last weekend.

Jaedin Rhodes (Ried, Austria)

Home vs Red Bull Salzburg, Friday 19h30

Rhodes' Ried face a major test against Salzburg, although the winger has recently been sidelined by an adductor injury and has not played since August 9.

Yusuf Maart (Ried, Austria)

Home vs Red Bull Salzburg, Friday 19h30

Maart has played in all five of Ried's Bundesliga matches this season, starting four, and was recently rewarded with an improved contract. The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder will look to help Ried upset one of the Austrian title favourites this weekend.

Austrian Bundesliga standings
Austrian Bundesliga standingsFlashscore

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)

Away vs Portimonense, Saturday 12h00

Sithole's Tondela travel south to Portimão for their Liga Portugal 2 fixture. He has one start and two substitute appearances so far this season.

Max Conway (Bolton Wanderers, England)

Home vs Cardiff City, Saturday 13h30

Left-back Conway has featured in all six of Bolton's Championship matches this season, starting four, and played the full 90 minutes against West Ham on Tuesday. His side have lost their last four Championship games, though.

Luke Le Roux (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)

Away vs OH Leuven, Saturday 20h45

Le Roux joined Belgian side Cercle Brugge this week and could make his debut against OH Leuven. His new club are still seeking their first win of the season (D2 L3).

Relebohile Mofokeng (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium)

Home vs Lommel, Saturday 20h45

Mofokeng has made a fine start in Belgium following his move from Orlando Pirates, with two goals in his opening four league appearances. Union host newly promoted Lommel on Saturday evening and will be expected to win.

Belgium league standings
Belgium league standingsFlashscore

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA)

Away vs St Louis City, Sunday 02h30

Hlongwane's Minnesota make the trip to St Louis for their latest MLS fixture, with the game kicking off in the early hours of Sunday morning in South Africa. Hlongwane has been sidelined by injury and has not played since August 19.

Lyle Foster (Houston Dynamo, USA)

Away vs San Jose Earthquakes, Sunday 04h30

Foster could continue his introduction to MLS following his move to Houston. The Dynamo make the long trip to California to face San Jose. He has not played competitive football since Bafana Bafana's opening game of the FIFA World Cup against Mexico.

Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers, Scotland)

Home vs Celtic, Sunday 13h00

A huge occasion for Makhanya as Rangers host Celtic in a Scottish League Cup quarter-final. The South African has started all five of Rangers' Premiership games this season and played 90 minutes again in their midweek win over St Mirren. His performances have been nothing short of superb.

Samukele Kabini (Molde, Norway)

Away vs HamKam, Sunday 17h00

Kabini's Molde travel to Briskeby to take on HamKam in the Eliteserien. A top-three finish is their most realistic target this season, but Kabini remains an important part of the side.

Gift Links (AGF Aarhus, Denmark)

Away vs FC Nordsjælland, Sunday 18h00

Links and AGF head to Farum following last weekend's dramatic 2-2 draw with Silkeborg, when AGF scored twice in the closing minutes. Links has been sidelined by injury and has not played since August 27.

Manasse Kianga (Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia)

Home vs Žilina, Sunday 19h00

Kianga has made an eye-catching start to the league season, with two goals and two assists in three appearances. He did not feature in Slovan's 6-1 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek after being left out of the squad.

Manasse Kianga league season stats
Manasse Kianga league season statsFlashscore

Shandre Campbell (Kortrijk, Belgium)

Away vs RAAL La Louvière, Sunday 19h15

Campbell and Kortrijk travel to the Easi Arena for their Jupiler Pro League fixture. He was replaced at half-time in last week's 1-0 defeat at Anderlecht as Kortrijk have now lost all five of their league games this season.

Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire, USA)

Home vs New England Revolution, Sunday 23h30

Dithejane has two goals in 13 MLS appearances this season and also impressed with two goals in three Leagues Cup outings. After facing Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in a 1-1 draw in midweek, Chicago host New England at Soldier Field.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)

Home vs New England Revolution, Sunday 23h30

Mbokazi has made better-than-expected progress from his thigh injury and is back in training, though he is perhaps not quite ready to start.

Tylon Smith (New England Revolution, USA)

Away vs Chicago Fire, Sunday 23h30

Smith is on the opposite side of the Chicago fixture, meaning there could potentially be three South Africans involved in the same MLS game.

Aden McCarthy's recent ratings
Aden McCarthy's recent ratingsFlashscore

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Aden McCarthy (Sabah, Azerbaijan)

Away vs Safa Baku, Monday 17h00

McCarthy faces a quick turnaround after starting for Sabah in their 4-0 Champions League defeat to Manchester United on Thursday. He played at centre-back at Old Trafford and now returns to domestic action against Safa.

Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)

Home vs Petrolul Ploiești, Monday 20h00

Ngezana's FCSB have a home league fixture against Petrolul, though he has not yet featured this season because of injury.