Brian Mandela

Kenya international defender Brian Mandela can look forward to more top flight football in the ABSA Premiership next season after helping Maritzburg United survive the chop by a whisker on the last day of the 2015/16 season on Saturday.

The “Team of Choice” thrashed relegated Jomo Cosmos 3-1 at the Olen Park to escape the chop and playoffs with a position 14th finish with 27 points.

Going into the match, the Ernst Middendorp’s side were 15th on the log with 24 points while Cosmos were 14th with 25 points; nothing but three points would have secured their top league status, and thanks to second half goals by Mohau Mok in the 81st minute, and brace from Evans Rusike in the 86th and 90th minutes respectively, they can now plan for a better 206/17 campaign.

It was a better season for Mandela who cemented his role at the heart of Maritzburg defense, playing in almost all their matches and scoring a couple of match deciders except for when he was suspended for having received a red card.

Cosmos who finished last in the sixteen teams league is home to another Kenya international Kevin Kimani who signed this season, but could not debut for them due to paper work related complications.

Dennis Onyango

Onyango’s Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned the ABSA Premiership at the Lucas Maripe Stadium on Saturday after securing the title last weekend. The Brazilians made sure they set a new league points record with a 1-0 victory over Platinum Stars that took their haul to 71 with a gap of 14 points between them and second placed Bidvest Wits.

For the Ugandan number one keeper, it was another clean sheet, and a bright ending to a wonderful season which saw him own the number one jersey and relegate Zambian Kennedy Mweene to the bench permanently.

The towering shot stopper is poised to be named the top keeper in the South African top league.

Jacques Tuyisenge

The Rwandan continued to justify his return to the national team “Amavubi” when he scored Gor Mahia’s second goal in the 2-0 with over Mathare United in the Sportpesa Premier League at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi on Sunday.

The most expensive signing in the league (USD 40,000) headed in a pin point cross from the new kid on the block Eric Ouma “Marcelo” to seal the “Slum Boys” fate in the 80th minute, after Ugandan international Godfrey Walusimbi had given K’Ogalo the lead with a wonderful left foot curler in the 73rd minute – the goal was Tuyisenge’s sixth in seven outings.

Another Ugandan Khalid Aucho marshaled the midfield while Burundian Karim Nizigiyimana roamed the right full back for K’Ogalo on the delightful evening. The reigning Kenyan champions climbed to second on the log with twenty six points, two off pacesetters Tusker FC.

Tuyisenge is back to the Coach Johhny McKinstry’s squad to play Senegal in a friendly and Mozambique in the AFCON 2017 qualifier.

Mbwana Samatta

KRC Genk held KAA Gent to a barren draw in the Belgium Pro League at Ghelamco Arena on Sunday.

Taifa Stars skipper Mbwana for the umpteenth time started for Genk and played for an hour and two minutes before being substituted with Igor De Camargo. Gent dominated play with fifty six percent ball possession and sixteen shots on target compared to Genk’s six – but couldn’t put one past keeper Bizot who saved three shots on target.

Genk is placed fourth on the table standings with forty points, two off third placed Gent and fourteen adrift of leaders Club Brugge.

Michael Olunga

Djurgarden IF bounced back to winning ways in an emphatic fashion thrashing Helsingborgs 3-0 in the Sweden top league at Tele 2 Arena, Stockholm on Sunday.

Djurgarden lost their last match on Thursday by a similar margin to Kalmar FF and they needed to break a three-match winless streak.

Sam Johnson opened scoring in the 12th minute before Daniel Berntsen made 2-0 in the 52nd minute, the third came through Jesper Karlstrom six minutes to stoppage time to put the match beyond the visitors.

Michael Olunga who started the last match against Kalmar was an unused sub in this tie. They lie eighth on the table standings with fifteen points from eight matches.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com