Bafana Bafana defender Olwethu Makhanya has reached another important milestone in his career after helping Rangers FC secure a place in the Scottish League Cup final. The South African defender played the full 90 minutes as Rangers defeated Aberdeen 1-0 in their semi-final clash on Saturday, continuing his impressive start to life at the Scottish club.

Rangers had to work hard to get past Aberdeen, with both teams fighting for a place in the final. The match remained closely contested, and it looked as though the teams could be heading towards extra time before Ryan Don Naderi scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute.

Makhanya once again played an important role at the back, helping his teammates protect their advantage and finish the match without conceding. His contribution was part of another strong defensive performance from Rangers, who have continued to show improvement with the South African in their starting line-up.

The victory means Rangers have booked their place in the Scottish League Cup final after also producing impressive results in the earlier rounds of the competition. They defeated their bitter rivals Celtic in the quarter-finals before recording a convincing 5-1 victory over St. Mirren in the second round.

For Makhanya, reaching the final is another positive moment since joining Rangers. The former South African youth international has quickly established himself at the club and appears to be earning the trust of the technical team through his consistent performances.

His defensive contribution has also been reflected in the team's clean-sheet record. Rangers have now recorded eight clean sheets in matches featuring the South African defender, showing the impact he has made since becoming part of the team.

Makhanya has already become something of a fan favourite among Rangers supporters, who have been impressed by his performances. His progress in Scotland has also attracted attention beyond the club, with reports suggesting that Premier League teams are monitoring his development ahead of a possible January move.

The defender has made 16 appearances for Rangers across competitions and has also contributed in attack. He recently scored his first goal for the club during their 2-2 draw against Hearts in midweek. That goal was an important personal achievement, especially as he continues to adapt to football in Scotland.

His performances are also encouraging for Bafana Bafana, with the national team benefiting from having a defender gaining regular experience at a major European club. Playing in important matches and competing for trophies could further improve his development as he continues to establish himself.

Rangers will now turn their attention to preparing for the Scottish League Cup final, where they will have an opportunity to compete for silverware. For Makhanya, the achievement represents another step forward in what has been an encouraging start to his European career.

The South African defender will be hoping to maintain his place in the team and help Rangers finish their cup campaign with a trophy. His performances so far have given supporters plenty of reasons to be excited about what he can achieve in the coming months.

Source: IDiskiTimes