Rantie's wonder goal in Turkey headlines weekend for overseas-based SA stars

15 May 2017 - 13:04 By Nick Said
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Tokelo Rantie #9 of AFC Bournemouth reacts after a goal in the second half in the friendly match against the Philadelphia Union on July 14, 2015 at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. AFC Bournemouth defeated the Philadelphia Union 4-1.
Tokelo Rantie #9 of AFC Bournemouth reacts after a goal in the second half in the friendly match against the Philadelphia Union on July 14, 2015 at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. AFC Bournemouth defeated the Philadelphia Union 4-1.
Image: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images/AFP

Former Bafana Bafana striker Tokelo Rantie gave a reminder of his best assets when he scored a superb solo strike for Turkish side Genclerbirligi.

Rantie has been in and out of the side this season‚ but was in the starting line-up for the 2-1 away loss to Büyüksehir and made his opportunity count.

He picked up the ball 60 yards from goal‚ showed great pace and skill to beat three defenders and then supplied a cool finish past the goalkeeper for a goal that superbly sums up his ability ahead of a crucial six months ahead for Bafana in African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

Rantie’s problem has been finding consistency in performance with just five goals in 21 appearances (10 starts‚ 11 subs) this season‚ but there is also no doubt he brings an ‘x-factor’ to any team he plays in.

Genclerbirligi are set for a mid-table finish this season with rumours that Rantie could join Dino Ndlovu at Azerbaijan side Qarabag next season unfounded for now.

  • Contrasting fortunes for South African players in EuropeSouth African Under-23 international Lebo Mothiba scored his first professional goal at the weekend‚ ending what had been a frustrating wait at French Ligue 2 side Valenciennes. 

May Mahlangu is another who will be hoping for a Bafana recall as he completed his league campaign in Romania with a third-place finish for Dinamo Bucharest and qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

Dinamo were in contention going into the final weekend‚ but a 1-1 draw with Astra Giurgiu ended their hopes‚ though other results meant even a victory would not have been good enough.

Mahlangu is still in line for silverware though as Dinamo take on relegation-threatened ACS Poli Timişoara in the country’s League Cup final on Saturday and will be heavy favourites to take the title.

Kamohelo Mokotjo closed his season in the Netherlands with a 5-3 loss for FC Twente to Groningen.

  • Dino Ndlovu just cannot stop scoringDino Ndlovu bagged his 12th goal of the season for Azerbaijan club Qarabag on Sunday to help his side move four points clear at the top of the league table. 

Although Twente finished in seventh and qualified for the UEFA Europa League play-offs‚ they have been barred from taking part after the club were handed a three-year ban from competing in Europe in 2015.

That was after they were found guilty of concealing irregularities in the transfer of a player and were punished by the Dutch Football Association.

Whether this was a final game in a Twente shirt for Mokotjo remains to be seen.

Andile Jali played for Belgian side KV Oostende as they lost 3-1 at Zulte-Waregem‚ while Lars Veldwijk started for Norwegian club Aalesund‚ but drew a blank as they lost 1-0 at home to Valerenga.

  • Andile Jali suffers bitter disappointmentAndile Jali suffered bitter disappointment at the weekend when his KV Oostende side missed out on a first major trophy as they lost in a penalty shoot-out against Zulte-Waregem in the final of the Belgian Cup. 

Keagan Dolly played the closing stages for Montpellier in France as they lost 3-1 at home to Lyon‚ a fourth defeat in a row for the side.

In Ligue 2‚ Kermit Erasmus started for Lens in their 4-0 win over Ajaccio‚ while Lebo Mothiba was in action for Valenciennes as they were held 0-0 by Auxerre.

Any of the top six on Ligue 2 could win promotion on the final day of the season with just three points separating Strasbourg at the top and Nimes in sixth.

Fourth-placed Lens are two points behind the leaders‚ with the top two in the division winning automatic promotion and the team that finishes third entering the play-offs.

Bongani Zungu received a wake-up call ahead of the Portuguese Cup final on May 28 as his Vitoria Guimaraes side saw their fine form ended with a 5-0 loss to Benfica. The same two sides meet in the cup decider.

And Surprise Ralani scored his first goal of the campaign in Sweden as Helsingborg were held 2-2 by Frej.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport

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