Sibande leaves for Egypt, but which countries dominate the EPL?
TS Galaxy sold Qobolwakhe Sibande to Petrojet SC for an undisclosed fee but which country has more players in the Egyptian league?
TS Galaxy have officially confirmed the sale of Qobolwakhe Sibande to Egyptian Premier League (EPL) side Petrojet SC.
The 25-year-old left-footed player joins Fagrie Lakay as the only two South African-born players in the league.
Sibande joins a list of South African-born players who left the country to ply their trade in the Egyptian league.
Phakamani Mhlambi was the first when he left Bidvest Wits for Al Ahly in 2017 before returning home in 2018.
Percy Tau also had his time with Al Ahly, but the difference is that he was signed from English side Brighton.
Lakay then followed as he was sold to Pyramids by Cape Town City in 2020. He was later loaned out to Ceramica Cleopatra FC before the deal was made permanent.
Also read | AFCON 2025: Who are the leading goalscorers?
WHICH COUNTRIES DOMINATE THE EGYPTIAN LEAGUE?
The Egyptian Premier League (EPL) is, obviously, dominated by local players but clubs are also recruiting from other countries.
This season alone, Nigeria has more players in the EPL than any other foreign country (21).
South Africa had one player in Lakay until Sibande joined Petrojet SC – meaning there are now two SA-born players there.
Here’s the list of top 10 countries with most players in the Egyptian Premier League as per Transfermarkt.
- Nigeria – 21
- Morocco – 10
- Ghana – 9
- Tunisia – 9
- Palestine – 6
- Ivory Coast – 6
- Senegal – 5
- Burkina Faso – 4
- Algeria – 4
- DR Congo – 3
WHERE IS PETROJET PLACED ON THE LOG?
Sibande’s Petrojet are currently placed ninth on the Egyptian Premier League log with 19 points from 14 games.
They are 10 points behind log leaders Cleopatra who have a game in hand having only played 13.