Big night for SA star Mahlangu
May Mahlangu will possibly take a step closer to his dream of playing in the Uefa Champions League group stages on Tuesday night when his Swedish side Helsingborg host Glasgow Celtic in the first leg of their playoff tie.
The winner of the tie will advance into the lucrative pool round, where not only is the financial reward big, but the prestige of playing against the continent’s elite clubs can be a big boost to a player’s career.
Helsingborg will possibly be slight favourites in the tie. Celtic have a finer European pedigree, but have seen a steady erosion of playing talent over the last few seasons.
That, coupled with the generally poor quality of the opposition they face week in, week out in the Scottish Premier League, means they are not as competitive as they once were.
Mahlangu will be hoping to join compatriot Thulani Serero in the group stages of the Champions League, the latter’s club Ajax Amsterdam having gained automatic entry into the stage after winning the Dutch Eredvisie last season.
Meanwhile, Kagisho Dikgacoi and Kgosi Nthle will be in action in the English Championship on Tuesday night.
Dikgacoi’s Crystal Palace travel to Bristol City, while left-back Ntlhe will come up against Millwall. One league down, Dean Furman will skipper Oldham Athletic as they host Walsall.
Finally in Sweden, Bradley Ralani’s Landskrona will continue their push for promotion to the top-flight when they travel to Hammarby.
