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Dingizwe Gwala

South Africans Abroad Rankings: Top 10 for 2024-25 season

GOAL runs a list of the top 10 South African players based overseas and we rank them from the worst to the best.

South African players abroad have experienced varying degrees of success this season. While some have flourished and made significant impacts for their clubs, others have faced challenges and inconsistent performances.

Among the standout performers is Thembinkosi Lorch, who has revitalized his career at Wydad Casablanca, earning Player of the Month honors and attracting interest for a permanent deal. Young talent Shandre Campbell impressed at Club Brugge with a remarkable goal-scoring record that earned him promotion to the senior team.

Players like Lyle Foster and Bongokuhle Hlongwane have struggled to find consistent form in England and the MLS, respectively. Defensively, Siyabonga Ngezana has been solid in Romania, helping his team defend their league title, while Olwethu Makhanya played a key role in Philadelphia Union’s strong defensive record.

Here, GOAL ranks these players.
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  • Cassius Mailula, Wydad AC, February 2025.Wydad AC

    10Cassius Mailula

    Club: Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

    Age: 23

    Cassius Mailula's move to North Africa came as a blessing in disguise as he was deemed surplus to requirements by Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC. He is currently on loan until after the Fifa Club World Cup, but his performances seem to have impressed the powers that be, as rumours have it that Wydad want to hold on to the former Mamelodi Sundowns star.

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  • Luther Singh, AEL Limassol, May 2025AEL Limassol

    9Luther Singh

    Club: AEL Limassol

    Age: 27

    Luther Singh is one of the most well-travelled players when it comes to South African players. Singh has played in Sweden, Russia, Portugal and now in Cyprus with Limassol. At some point, he was said to be the next Benni McCarthy, but that comparison proved to be way above his grade. He has played 30 games for his team and only has two goals to show for his effort in the Cyprus League.

  • Bongokuhle Hlongwane Minnesota United 2025Imagn

    8Bongokuhle Hlongwane

    Club: Minnesota United (United States of America)

    Age: 24

    Bongokuhle Hlongwane is not having the best of seasons in the MLS this year as he has only netted one goal in 15 outings. He is hoping to break into Broos' team, but he will have to work a lot harder. His chances are already bleak as Broos does not rate the MLS. Hlongwane is having an underwhelming season and will need to find his feet sooner rather than later.

  • Lionel Messi & Olwethu Makhanya, Inter Miamo vs Philadelphia Union, March 2025Getty

    7Olwethu Makhanya

    Club: Philadelphia Union

    Age: 21

    Defender Olwethu Makhanya's Philadelphia Union outfit currently sit at the summit of the MLS Eastern Conference with 30 points. The former Stellenbosch player played the whole game in his side's last win against Atlanta United. He has only missed two games in the league this season and helped his side concede just 17 goals.

  • Percy Tau, Qatar SC, February 2025Qatar SC

    6Percy Tau

    Club: Qatar FC (Qatar)

    Age: 31

    Percy Tau is in the twilight of his career and if not careful, he may find himself out of the Bafana team if he does not push hard enough. Tau played nine games after joining from Al Ahly in January and he failed to net a single goal, providing just two assists. However, his efforts were enough to save his team from possible relegation.

  • Mihlali Mayambela, ArisAris

    5Mihlali Mayambela

    Club: Aris (Cyprus)

    Age: 28

    Mihlali Mayambela has been on the travel since 2016, playing in countries such as Sweden and Portugal. It is in Cyprus where he managed to stay in the same team for three seasons. At Aris, Mayambela netted five goals in the Cyprus League, where they finished second. His performance, however, may not be enough to take him back into the national team.

  • Burnley FC v Cardiff City FC - Sky Bet ChampionshipGetty Images Sport

    4Lyle Foster

    Club: Burnley (England)

    Age: 24

    Lyle Foster is usually the number one striking option for Hugo Broos at Bafana Bafana, but he has not been at his best in the English Championship this season. Foster featured in 28 league games and scored two goals while providing five assists. The Orlando Pirates product helped his side return to the English Premier League after spending a single season in the lower division.

  • Siyabonga Ngezana, FCSBSiyabonga Ngezana

    3Siyabonga Ngezana

    Club: FCSB (Romania)

    Age: 27

    Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana has been in fine form this season for Romanian giants FCSB, whom he helped successfully defend the league crown. Last season, Ngezana was named the best defender in that league, and this term, he has featured in 23 games and netted a single goal. He is included in the Bafana preliminary, where he is expected to make the cut when Broos announces his final 23-man team to face Tanzania and Mozambique in upcoming friendlies.

  • Thembinkosi Lorch, Wydad AC, May 2025.Wydad AC

    2Thembinkosi Lorch

    Club: Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

    Age: 31

    Thembinkosi Lorch's move from Sundowns gave him a new lease of life as he was not in the plans of Miguel Cardoso. He was quickly loaned out to Wydad, joining then-coach Rhulani Mokwena, who brought him to Chloorkop. At Wydad, he has been doing well as he was voted Player of the Month and has two goals to his name in the Botola Pro. The club are said to be interested in signing him beyond his loan spell.

  • Shandre Campbell, Club NXT, February 2025Club NXT

    1Shandre Campbell

    Club: Club Brugge (Belgium)

    Age: 19

    Shandre Campbell's move from SuperSport United was life-changing as he joined Belgian side Club Brugge. The initial plan was for him to play in their development ranks, but he proved to be too good for the Challenger Pro League and was promoted to the Juliper Pro League. It was his nine league goals paired with two assists that saw him elevated to the senior ranks.