sportbible
South African winger Gift Links showcased an impressive performance in Denmark, netting the pivotal goal in his team’s 1-0 triumph over Brondby IF during the first leg of the Oddset Pokalen Cup quarterfinal on Sunday.
The Aarhus GF left wing-back scored in the 74th minute, marking his second goal in the domestic cup competition after clinching a dramatic extra-time winner in a previous 3-2 victory against second-division side Skive IK in the last 16.
AGF is now well-positioned to reach the semi-finals ahead of the return leg at Brondby Stadion next Sunday, looking to maintain their remarkable five-match unbeaten streak against their rivals, which includes four wins and one draw.
The Aarhus-based club is determined to put an end to their long wait for silverware, with their last title being the Danish Cup in the 1995/96 season, while their last league championship dates back to the 1985/86 season.
With Links’ solitary goal, AGF has ended a three-match winless run, as they had struggled to secure victories in their last three outings in the Danish Superliga, currently sitting fourth with 28 points—five points behind leaders Copenhagen after 17 matches.
The former Cape Town City player has made an impact with two goals and three assists in 14 league appearances, having started in 13 of those matches during the ongoing 2024/25 season, despite a one-month injury layoff due to a groin issue in September.
Overall, Links, who lifted the MTN8 title with the Citizens under Benni McCarthy in the 2018/19 season, has achieved four goals and three assists in 16 matches across all competitions so far.
However, the 26-year-old from Northwest, who was included in the 2023/24 Superliga team of the season, has often been passed over for Bafana Bafana call-ups, including recent preliminary squads.
It remains uncertain whether Links’ remarkable performances will catch the eye of Belgian coach Hugo Broos, as the Platinum Stars academy product last represented the national team in September 2021 during a World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe.
