With his contribution to Rangers FC's advancement to the Scottish League Cup final, Olwethu Makhanya, a defender for Bafana Bafana, has accomplished yet another significant career milestone. Rangers' 1-0 semi-final victory over Aberdeen on Saturday was the latest in the South African defender's stellar debut for the Scottish club, as he played the entire match.

In a tight race for a spot in the final, Rangers had to work hard to defeat Aberdeen. The game was still very tight, and it appeared like extra time might be on the horizon until Ryan Don Naderi scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute.

Again, Makhanya was instrumental in the back, and his teammates were able to hold on to their lead and win the match without giving up a goal. Rangers' defensive play was solid once again, and the South African's inclusion in the starting lineup has only helped their cause.

With this win, Rangers have guarantyd their spot in the Scottish League Cup final, continuing a stellar performance that saw them advance far in the tournament. In the quarterfinals, they shocked Celtic, their archrivals, and in the second round, they thrashed St. Mirren, 5-1.

Reaching the final is just one more positive moment for Makhanya since joining Rangers. The former South African youth international has become a mainstay at the club and, thanks to his steady play, is gaining the respect of the coaching staff.

The fact that the team has kept a clean sheet is another evidence of his defensive contributions. The South African defender has made an immediate impact since joining the Rangers, as evidenced by their eight clean sheets in matches featuring him.

Thanks to his impressive play, Makhanya has quickly become a favourite among Rangers fans. The news of his success in Scotland has spread beyond the club, as rumours have it that clubs in the Premier League are keeping tabs on him in the hopes of making a January transfer.

The defender has chipped in offensively and made 16 total appearances for Rangers in all competitions. In midweek's 2-2 draw with Hearts, he scored his first goal for the club. As he continues to adjust to Scottish football, that goal was particularly meaningful for him personally.

Having a defender getting regular experience at a big European club is a boon to the national team, and his performances for Bafana Bafana have been encouraging. As he builds his reputation, playing in key matches and competing for trophies could help him develop even more.

The focus of the Rangers will now shift to getting ready for the Scottish League Cup final, where they will have a shot at winning the trophy. This is a huge win for Makhanya, who has had a promising start to his career in Europe.

The South African defender's goals for Rangers' cup campaign are to keep his starting spot and lead the team to a championship. His outstanding play thus far has left his fans eagerly anticipating his future exploits.

Source: IDiskiTimes