SA players set to shine in France

Quartet take stage for Ligue 1 clashes

IT is a big weekend in France’s Ligue 1 for the quartet of South African players in one of Europe’s top leagues‚ though their ambitions differ at opposite ends of the table.

For young Bafana Bafana striker Lebo Mothiba it is another crucial fixture, as he travels with his Lille side to top club Marseille‚ desperate for three points to help them in their bid to avoid relegation.

Lille are currently in the relegation playoff position‚ but only above automatic relegation on goal difference, with five games remaining in the season.

Mothiba has been the lead striker for Lille since his January loan return from Valenciennes in the second-tier and has three goals in nine starts for the side.

Bongani Zungu’s Amiens are still in the relegation mix‚ but may feel that one more victory will see them clear of that danger and, on Saturday, they host fellow strugglers Strasbourg.

Victory for Amiens would not only see them ease their relegation woes‚ but also provide a further lifeline to Mothiba’s Lille.

Two more South Africans are looking instead at qualification for the Uefa Europa League next season.

Fifth will be good enough to get into the Europe League, and Keagan Dolly’s Montpellier are just a point off Rennes‚ who currently hold that position.

Dolly is up against sixth-placed Nice tomorrow‚ the team who lie between seventh-positioned Montpellier and Rennes‚ so a victory would be a massive boost to their qualification hopes.

Lebogang Phiri’s Guingamp are also still in contention‚ five points behind Rennes‚ as they host secondplaced Monaco today.

Phiri has made 21 appearances for Guingamp this season and last weekend came off the bench to set up a later equaliser for his side against Lille.