It was a mixed week for South Africans abroad as there were both wins and heavy defeats while Kamohelo Mokotjo and Steven Pienaar were sidelined by injury.

There was woe for Steven Pienaar and his Sunderland side on Saturday as the former Bafana Bafana captain was forced off with an injury barely a quarter of an hour into his side’s clash against Crystal Palace. That disappointment was only compounded by the Black Cats’ late capitulation as they blew a 2-0 lead to fall to a shock 3-2 defeat.

Kamohelo Mokotjo’s good from for Dutch side Twente was also interrupted by injury as the influential defensive midfielder continues to recover from a groin problem that kept him out of his side’s 2-1 win over Vitesse.

Over in France, Kermit Erasmus started for Rennes but could do little to help his side overturn a 3-0 deficit to Dijon as he was eventually substituted in the 77th minute.

It was a better day at the office for Lebogang Phiri as played the full 90 minutes of his Brondby side’ dismantling of Danish opposition Odense Boldklub on Sunday.

Across the border in Sweden, Luther Singh was called on from the bench for his second division side Gais but could not repeat his midweek heroics as the outfit were dismantled 3-0 by Ljungskile. Bradley Ralani, meanwhile, played the full game as Helsingborg lost 2-0 to Malmo.

Over in Turkey, Tokelo Rantie was a late substitute as his Genclerbirligi side saw off Karabukspor 2-0, with the Bafana Bafana striker playing the last six minutes.

Finally, there was a second start for Dino Ndlovu at Qarabag as his side shared the spoils with Kapaz in the Azerbaijan top flight. Ndlovu made way after 66 minutes in the tie.

Photo: Premier League Website