THERE is bitter disappointment for Bafana Bafana attacking midfielder Thulani Serero as he misses out on what would have been one of the great occasions of his career.
The Ajax Amsterdam star has been ruled out of his side's Uefa Champions League clash against Barcelona at the Nou Camp tonight with a hamstring injury picked up in the league draw at FC Twente at the weekend.
Serero scored against Barca when the teams met in Amsterdam last season and also featured in the return fixture that ended 4-0 in the Catalans' favour.
Serero has started both of Ajax's two matches in the Champions League this season, a credible 1-1 draw with Paris St Germain and away at Cypriot side APOEL last time out, which ended with the same scoreline.
Serero is the only South African in the Champions League this season, but Steven Pienaar will be hoping to feature for Everton in their Europa League tie away at French side Lille on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Anele Ngcongca recovered sufficiently from the injury that kept him out of Bafana duty against Congo to play the full 90 minutes for his Belgian club Genk at the weekend.
The right back did not link up with the national team for the double-header against the central African side after his club said he was injured, but looked sprightly enough in helping his team take a 2-0 lead inside five minutes and go on to beat Westerlo 3-1.
There was still no place in the Lokeren match-day 18 for Ayanda Patosi, who continues to be sidelined as he battles weight issues.
It seems he still has some way to go to be considered for the first team.
One player who did find himself back in the first-team mix, albeit in disappointing circumstances, was midfielder Daylon Claasen, who played his first minutes since the end of August for German Bundesliga II side 1860 Munich.
Claasen was introduced at half time as his struggling side lost 4-1 at Erzgebirge Aue.
It was a much happier weekend for youngster Lebogang Phiri, who started for Danish side Brondby as they thumped Vestsjælland 5-0, their biggest win in three years.
May Mahlangu also had a happy weekend as he started for Swedish side Goteborg in their 3-2 victory over Hacken that keeps them on course for qualification for the Europa League next season.
Serero misses Ajax visit to Barca
THERE is bitter disappointment for Bafana Bafana attacking midfielder Thulani Serero as he misses out on what would have been one of the great occasions of his career.
The Ajax Amsterdam star has been ruled out of his side's Uefa Champions League clash against Barcelona at the Nou Camp tonight with a hamstring injury picked up in the league draw at FC Twente at the weekend.
Serero scored against Barca when the teams met in Amsterdam last season and also featured in the return fixture that ended 4-0 in the Catalans' favour.
Serero has started both of Ajax's two matches in the Champions League this season, a credible 1-1 draw with Paris St Germain and away at Cypriot side APOEL last time out, which ended with the same scoreline.
Serero is the only South African in the Champions League this season, but Steven Pienaar will be hoping to feature for Everton in their Europa League tie away at French side Lille on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Anele Ngcongca recovered sufficiently from the injury that kept him out of Bafana duty against Congo to play the full 90 minutes for his Belgian club Genk at the weekend.
The right back did not link up with the national team for the double-header against the central African side after his club said he was injured, but looked sprightly enough in helping his team take a 2-0 lead inside five minutes and go on to beat Westerlo 3-1.
There was still no place in the Lokeren match-day 18 for Ayanda Patosi, who continues to be sidelined as he battles weight issues.
It seems he still has some way to go to be considered for the first team.
One player who did find himself back in the first-team mix, albeit in disappointing circumstances, was midfielder Daylon Claasen, who played his first minutes since the end of August for German Bundesliga II side 1860 Munich.
Claasen was introduced at half time as his struggling side lost 4-1 at Erzgebirge Aue.
It was a much happier weekend for youngster Lebogang Phiri, who started for Danish side Brondby as they thumped Vestsjælland 5-0, their biggest win in three years.
May Mahlangu also had a happy weekend as he started for Swedish side Goteborg in their 3-2 victory over Hacken that keeps them on course for qualification for the Europa League next season.
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