Sublime Ralani goal only bright spot after tough weekend for South Africans in Europe

08 August 2016 - 14:26 By Nick Said

Surprise Ralani netted his first goal for top Swedish side Helsingborg this weekend but could not prevent them from slipping to a 3-2 defeat at home to Gefle. Ralani‚ who recently reunited with coach Henrik Larrsen after being signed from Danish side Lyngby‚ came off the bench after an hour and curled home a sublime goal to give his side the lead.That drew immense praise from Larrsen‚ but he was left bitterly disappointed when Gefle managed two goals in the final four minutes to steal the points.It was a first goal in the Swedish top-flight for the highly-rated‚ but injury-prone Ralani‚ who spent five years at second-tier Landskrona‚ two of them under Larrsen.That was about as good as it got for South Africans competing overseas this past weekend.Mandla Masango was again absent for Danish side Randers as he continues his self-imposed exile from the first team in the hope of pushing through a move away from the club.Lebogang Phiri played for Brondby as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Midtjylland‚ again gifting their opponents a point as they conceded two penalties in the final four minutes after seemingly cruising to victory.The South African junior international put in a fine personal display‚ including having a hand in his side’s second goal.In Belgium‚ Andile Jali was missing for KV Oostende as he continues to battle an ankle injury and Ayanda Patosi was left on the bench for Lokeren.Ntuthuko Radebe and Phakamani Mngadi were not in the match day squad at all for Eupen‚ while Anele Ngcongca continues to train with the reserves at Genk.Kamohelo Mokotjo lasted just 25 minutes of his first game of the season for Dutch side FC Twente before being forced off through injury as they lost 2-1 at home to Excelsior Rotterdam.Daylon Claasen was a second half substitute for 1860 Munich in the German Bundesliga II as they lost their opener 1-0 at Greuther Fürth‚ while Kagisho Dikgacoi was not in the match day squad for Cardiff City in the English Championship.Sweden-based Tefu Mashamaite had to settle for a place on the bench as his Hacken side won 4-2 at Elfsborg.Finally in friendly action‚ South African-born Joel Untersee played the final 30 minutes for Italian giants Juventus against West Ham as he came on for Brazilian superstar Dani Alves.Untersee is back at the Turin club after two years on loan in the Swiss league and is likely to act as cover for Alves this season. TMG Digital..

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