Three Bafana Bafana players will be in the MLS Cup play-offs after the international break, even though their clubs lost on the final day of the regular season.
Chicago Fire were beaten 4-3 by Columbus Crew on Saturday, despite two penalties from Robert Lewandowski. Mbekezeli Mbokazi started in defence and was replaced in the 69th minute, while Puso Dithejane came off the bench in the 83rd minute.
The defeat didn’t cost the Fire their place in the Eastern Conference. They finished fourth on 55 points, a club record, and will face fifth-placed Charlotte in a best-of-three first-round series. Game 1 is at home in Chicago on Sunday, 22 November, at 01:30 SAST on Monday.
African players in Europe: Jackson strikes at Old Trafford, Mofokeng’s Union go top
A showdown with Charlotte awaits 🫡 https://t.co/ACIL1w2gRZ
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) November 8, 2026
Lyle Foster’s Houston Dynamo also lost, 1-0 at home to St Louis City, who scored the winner in stoppage time through Lukas MacNaughton. Foster started up front and set up an early chance for Lawrence Ennali, but Houston couldn’t find a way through.
The Dynamo finished fifth in the Western Conference and will meet fourth-placed San Jose Earthquakes in their own best-of-three series. Game 1 is in San Jose on Tuesday, 24 November, at 05:00 SAST on Wednesday, with Game 2 back in Houston.
Round 1 dates are locked in 🗓️
📰 Read More: https://t.co/UUYsf8FQMq https://t.co/VE1I5O6Wjk
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) November 8, 2026
AFRICAPICKS football tips and predictions
All three players will be with Bafana for the AFCON qualifiers against Kenya before they turn their attention to the play-offs.
Photo: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images
