South African players experience contrasting European fortunes

Two South African players helped their clubs reach the UEFA Conference League league phase on Thursday, while two others were eliminated from European competition before the main stages began.

Olwethu Makhanya’s Rangers FC were beaten by FK Jablonec in a penalty shootout after the Czech side overturned a first-leg deficit. Rangers FC had won the opening match 1-0 at home, but FK Jablonec levelled the tie during normal time in the second leg before claiming a 4-3 victory on penalties.

Makhanya completed the full 120 minutes in the second match, but could not prevent Rangers FC from exiting the competition.

There was better news for Thapelo Maseko, who came off the bench in stoppage time as FC Copenhagen secured their place in the UEFA Conference League league phase with a convincing 4-1 win over Inter Turku.

The first leg in Finland had finished goalless, but the Danish side produced a decisive performance in the return fixture. FC Copenhagen scored in the 41st, 49th, 78th and 93rd minutes to put the tie beyond doubt.

Maseko was introduced in injury time and made an immediate contribution, setting up FC Copenhagen’s fourth goal only a minute after entering the match. The result completed a commanding victory for the Danish club after the evenly balanced first leg.

Mihlali Mayambela also saw his team progress, although he remained an unused substitute as Omonia Nicosia overturned a 1-0 first-leg defeat against their opponents in a six-goal second-leg contest.

Omonia Nicosia won the return match 4-2 and advanced to the UEFA Europa League league phase with a 4-3 aggregate victory. The Cypriot club’s comeback ensured they remained in European competition despite having started the second leg behind.

Gift Links featured for 83 minutes as AGF suffered another defeat against Benfica. The Danish champions had already lost the first leg 3-1 in Portugal and were beaten by the same scoreline at home in the return match.

Benfica therefore completed a 6-2 aggregate victory and ended AGF’s hopes of reaching the UEFA Europa League league phase. However, Links and his team-mates will continue in Europe after AGF dropped into the UEFA Conference League league phase.

The results left the four South African players with different European outcomes. Maseko and Links will continue their campaigns in the UEFA Conference League, while Mayambela’s Omonia Nicosia will compete in the UEFA Europa League league phase. Makhanya’s Rangers FC, meanwhile, were eliminated after FK Jablonec’s penalty shootout success.