SHAKES Mashaba received a welcome boost ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria after Ayanda Patosi played his first minutes of the season on Sunday.

The Lokeren attacking midfielder had missed the entire campaign to date after knee surgery, but played the final 32 minutes as his side played to a 1-1 draw with Standard Liege.

That will be a relief to Mashaba, who must now assess the player's match fitness ahead of the game against Sudan on Friday.

One player that Mashaba did not select, May Mahlangu, made it two goals in two games as he scored from the penalty spot as Swedish side Goteborg beat Kalmar 2-0.

Mahlangu has now scored six times this season, already his best return since he moved to Europe in 2009.

Another Bafana absentee, Thulani Serero, was restored to the Ajax Amsterdam lineup but suffered a 2-0 loss to Groningen.

It was just a second start of the new campaign for Serero, who will hope to secure a starting place by the time the Champions League matches start later this month with tasty ties against Barcelona and Paris St Germain to look forward to.

Kamohelo Mokotjo played for FC Twente as they were held to yet another draw against his former side, Feyenoord.

Twente have now drawn all six games they have played this season so far.

Daylon Claasen won a first start for German second-tier side 1860 Munich, but only lasted until half time before being replaced in the 1-1 draw with SV Darmstadt 98.