PSL PLAYERS AT AFCON 2019

The 2019 AFCON in Egypt is a just week out. How many of the PSL’s foreign stars will be representing their country at this year’s continental showpiece?

The Absa Premiership ended four weeks ago. It’s reported that South African soccer lovers have been going through withdrawal symptoms which include: headaches, diminished appetite and binge-watching soapies on the weekend.

I, however, have good news. We are a week away from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. No, it isn’t the PSL but, we have an opportunity to watch some of our favourite foreign players lace their boots up for their national side. Here are the foreign PSL players who will be at AFCON 2019…

For a country whose name is recognised more for a 2005 animated movie – in where comedian Chris Rock plays a racially sensitive Zebra – than for its football. Madagascar has made significant strides forward. The small island qualified for it’s first Africa Cup of Nations.

One of their best players, Andriamiraldo Aro Hasina Andrianarimanana (Dax for short) played a key role in their qualification. Dax signed for Kaizer Chiefs at the start of the 2018/2019 season. The midfielder didn’t play much at the beginning of their campaign but after a few good games under his belt, he ended it as a capable first team player.

Another Kaizer Chiefs player who was signed from Chippa United in January 2019. The Nigerian goalkeeper was brought in to replace Virgil Vries after he proved to be a less than capable stand-in for Itumeleng Khune.

The Kaizer Chiefs number one stopper, Itu Khune, went down with a serious injury at the beginning of the year. Daniel Akpeyi is a good shot stopper and capable with high balls. but he is prone to a mistake or two.

Voted into CAF’s Team of The Year in 2018, Denis Onyango is the best goalkeeper in the PSL. He proved himself again this season where he, on more than one occasion,  bailed Sundowns in crucial league and CAF Champions League games.

Worth noting that Denis Onyango is the first goalkeeper to win a CAF Africa-based Player of the Year award since it started in 2005. ??? pic.twitter.com/RuLBl9lNEr

— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) January 6, 2017

Onyango will lead a Ugandan side that before qualifying for the 2017 AFCON spent nearly 40 years failing to make the tournament. They will now contest back-to-back tournaments for the first time since the seventies.

Namibia another country not known for its football qualified for their 3rd AFCON. Did you know: in Namibia, there are 2,534,000 people, half the amount of people in Johannesburg alone (5,635,127). This has nothing to do with the subject matter but I just thought I would drop in there. Deon Hotto an attacking midfielder who plays for Bidvest Wits. The Namibian with a hammer of a left foot was the Absa Premiership’s top assister and he is a vital cog in the current Namibian team.

Ladies and gentlemen, here’s your 2018/19 #KickOff Footballer of the Season… Deon Hotto! ??? Make sure you grab the June edition of the #KickOff magazine. On Sale Now! pic.twitter.com/tg5hxGaXye — Kick Off (@KickOffMagazine) May 24, 2019

Other Nambia Player: Virgil Vries (Last played for Kaizer Chiefs), Chris Katjiukua (Black Leopards) Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka FC), Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park FC), Maximilian Mbaeva (LamontvilleGolden Arrows)

One of the PSL’s best players Khama Billat led his team that is chock a block with PSL talent to this years AFCON. They topped their tough qualifying group G with DR Congo, Liberia and Congo.

Even though his club side Kaizer Chiefs were, to put it nicely: dreadful this past season, Billiat’s numbers were good. He contributed to 18 goals in all competitions with his 9 goals and 9 assists. Billiat’s ball control is supreme, his pace and his nose for goal are going to give defenders problems in the tournament.

Khama Billiat: I understand Zimbabwe players better than Kaizer Chiefs https://t.co/odWHw6TFD9 pic.twitter.com/tvQ4zCPQ5Y

— Goal South Africa (@GoalcomSA) June 6, 2019

Other Zimbabwe: George Chigova (Polokwane City), Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka), Teenage Hadebe (Kaizer Chiefs), Divine Lunga (Golden Arrows), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfontein Celtic), Danny Phiri (Golden Arrows), Ovidy Karuru (AmaZulu), Kudakwashe Mahachi (Orlando Pirates) Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows), Evans Rusike (SuperSport United), Marshall Munetsi (Orlando Pirates), Talent Chawapihwa (AmaZulu)

Ghana: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United)

Burundi: Frederic Nsabiyumva (Chippa United)

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