Nkili’s team promoted to top flight
SOUTH Africa’s Ayanda Nkili will be playing in the Swedish top flight next season after helping his Orebro side to promotion from the second tier.
Nkili has been one of the standout performers for his club in the centre-back position this season and, despite carrying an injury, came off the bench to help Orebro to a 1-0 win at Ljungskile and second place in the league.
It will be a first top-flight season for the 23year-old, yet another product of Farouk Khan ’ s excellent Stars of Africa Academy.
Bradley Ralani ’ s Landskrona got a point against GIF Sundsvall to ensure they will stay in the second tier next season after avoiding the relegation play-offs.
It was not such good news for Phathizwe Sacolo ’ s Varnamo, who couldn ’ t get the win they needed to avoid the play-offs and must now continue to fight for their survival.
It was generally an awful weekend for the South Africans campaigning in England.
Kagisho Dikgacoi started for Crystal Palace, who remain rooted to the foot of the English Premiership after a 2-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion.
He was substituted with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Bongani Khumalo started while Dean Furman was on the bench as their Championship side Doncaster Rovers were beaten 3-1 at home by Brighton and Hove Albion.
Tokelo Rantie is still waiting for his first goal at Bournemouth after he was replaced just after the hour mark in the 2-0 loss to struggling Bolton Wanderers.
Rantie was also at fault for the Bolton opener when his miss-placed pass led to David N ’ gog opening the scoring. South African-born Andrew Surman also came on late in the game for The Cherries.
Left-back Kgosi Ntlhe started for League One Peterborough United as they lost 3-1 at home to promotion rivals Leyton Orient.
Thulani Serero, who has reportedly patched things up with Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund, started for Ajax Amsterdam in their shock 1-0 loss at home to Vitesse.
The defeat leaves Ajax three points behind leaders AZ Alkmaar and leaves them winless in their last three Eredivisie matches.
Kamohelo Mokotjo helped his PEC Zwolle side to a fine 1-1 draw at championship hopefuls PSV Eindhoven.
Anele Ngcongca ’ s Genk moved to the top of the table in Belgium as they won 3-0 at Mons, but had to hold off a late charge from the home side.
Darren Keet played for Kortrijk as they won 2-0 at home to KV Oostende, who had former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Nyasha Mushekwi come off the bench but he could not beat the Bafana international goalkeeper.