Best Foreign XI Of The Season So Far

iDiski Times’ journalists select the Foreign Team of the Season so far, selecting players born outside of South Africa who have made the biggest impact in the DStv Premiership in 2022/23.

While every club is allowed to sign up to five foreign players, not every recruitment works out, but this past campaign we have seen a few excellent performances.

In the goalkeeping department, a few jumped to the fore, but this season it is hard to overlook Salim Magoola. The 27-year-old Ugandan, who joined from Pretoria Callies, has kept 11 clean sheets this campaign and was a key reason why Richards Bay had such a good start. 

In the defensive positions, Edmilson Dove has been a standout for Kaizer Chiefs since joining the club. The former Cape Town City man has cemented the left centre-back role at the club, and while he is more known to be a left-back, he has done admirably in the middle.

Thatayaone Ditlhokwe of SuperSport United is set to join Dove at Chiefs next season, and the Botswana international will be sorely missed by Gavin Hunt’s team. His presence made a huge difference this campaign.

The duo are joined by Olisa Ndah. The Orlando Pirates defender was really good at the start of the campaign before injury setbacks, and while he has had one or two performances he’d like to forget, his talent is undeniable.

Another who has shone when given a chance, has been Gaston Sirino in Mamelodi Sundowns’ midfield. The Uruguayan has been one of the PSL’s most consistent performers since joining the champions but may have been overshadowed by another member of our XI, Marcelo Allende. The gifted Chilean has been a wonderful acquisition for Downs, and there is a lot of excitement around what he is still to deliver. 

Despite Maritzburg United’s struggles, DRC midfielder Karim Kimvuidi has been one of the finds of the season, and the 21-year-old is surely on the target lists of bigger clubs after his performances this campaign.

Cape Town City’s Venezuelan Darwin Gonzalez started the campaign very well, but while there was a dip mid-season, he looks to have found some form again.

Junior Mendieta could not be omitted. The Argentinean has been excellent since joining Stellenbosch, and it comes as no surprise that the big three clubs in SA have been enquiring about his services.

No foreign XI is complete without Peter Shalulile. The Namibian will go down in history as one of the PSL’s greatest strikers, and his consistency in getting goals has been paramount for Masandawana.

Finally, Etiosa Ighodaro has got tongues wagging with the goals he’s been scoring for Chippa United. The young Nigerian striker is a much-wanted man, and it is very likely we will see him in different colours next season.