With yet another DStv Premiership star being linked with a move to the US top flight, there seems to be an emerging pipeline for South African exports to Major League Soccer, a trend that has been witnessed in the past with the Dutch Eredivisie, writes Lukhanyo Mtuta.
The MLS now has a resurging notoriety following Lionel Messi's arrival in the division last year. Names such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez have since been added to the growing list of world-recognised stars who have moved to the league, including Xherdan Shaqiri and Lorenzo Insigne, while 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Hugo Lloris is another recent high-profile arrival. As such, reports suggest that these players have contributed to a significant commercial boost for the US top flight.
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For South Africans, the MLS is also now starting to appear to be a viable destination for promising talent, with a handful of players aged 23 and under at the time of the transfer having completed a move to America, namely Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United, Njabulo Blom of St. Louis City, Cassius Mailula of Toronto FC, and Olwethu Makhanya of Philadelphia Union.
Transfermarkt's Sahil Ebrahim recently reported that Toronto have made an enquiry regarding Stellenbosch FC defender Thabo Moloisane. The 24-year-old, who helped his side to the 2023 Carling Knockout Cup title, could become the second South African to join the Canadian outfit after Mailula's switch in early 2023.
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— Sahil Ebrahim (@sahil_e_) February 19, 2024
Transfermarkt understands that @MLS side Toronto FC have made an inquiry into the services of Stellenbosch FC defender Thabo Moloisane. ????????
The 24 year-old could become the 2nd South African at Toronto FC after Cassius Mailula's move there… pic.twitter.com/xQVROcIH6V
The increasing representation of SA stars in the MLS now brings fond memories of how the Eredivisie was once the go-to destination for many PSL players looking for a move abroad.
There is a long list of footballers who directly moved from Mzansi to the Netherlands in the past, with icons such Benni McCarthy and Steven Pienaar being prime examples. Others that have followed the same route are Thulani Serero, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Kermit Erasmus. Besides those players who moved directly Between the two countries, other SA footballers who also enjoyed stints in Holland include Bernard Parker, Aaron Mokoena and Stanton Lewis.
The SA-Dutch connection was also not limited to just players, with some coaches from the European country having made their way down to Africa’s most southern nation. These include Leo van Veen, Henk Bodewes, Jan Pruijn, Maarten Stekelenburg, and Foppe de Haan.
Although the US-South Africa connection seems to be quite some distance behind that with the Netherlands, there is certainly some promising signs. Former Bafana Bafana star Bradley Carnell is, in fact, the current head coach of St Louis City, who broke several records on the way to their 2023 MLS Western Conference win.
In conclusion, it is likely to take several years for the MLS to become one of the biggest hubs for South African exports, but only positives can be drawn from the recent trend of DStv Premiership stars moving to the United States.
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