The South African Premier Soccer League draws on talent from around the continent, quite literally from the Cape to Cairo, and these days, even farther afield.
In this feature, KweséESPN picks out our best foreign imports of 2017, honouring the players who made the most impact for their respective sides over the last 12 months.
JEREMY BROCKIE (SUPERSPORT UNITED AND NEW ZEALAND)
New Zealander Brockie has perhaps set the gold standard for foreigners, though he has been less effective domestically in the second half of the year.
He has netted 21 in all competitions goals in the calendar year, helped his side win the Nedbank Cup and MTN8, and also scored 10 times as Matsatsantsa reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup, where they lost out to Tout Puissant Mazembe.
TALENT CHAWAPIHWA (BAROKA FC AND ZIMBABWE)
Chawapihwa only arrived at Baroka FC at the start of this season, but has been a revelation for the Limpopo side and one of the major reasons why they are hovering near the top of the table.
The winger may have just a single goal to his name, but he has laid on a number of chances for others and always looks a threat on the left.
WILLARD KATSANDE (KAIZER CHIEFS AND ZIMBABWE)
The hard-working and industrious Katsande has had another good year, even if his side have struggled to hit the heights they would like.
He is the engine in the midfield and Chiefs would certainly have been a lot worse off still had they not had him to call upon.
He also leads the side well as a senior player, though he does still collect too many yellow cards - 12 in 2017.
Whether that is fairly or as a result of his reputation is open to debate.
KUDA MAHACHI (LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS AND ZIMBABWE)
Mahachi's playmaking skills in a very workmanlike Golden Arrows side stand out, and he is the dangerman most opposition teams look to keep quiet when they come up against Abafana Bes'thende.
He has started all but one of the Durban club's games this season and has eight goals in the calendar year to go with a strike for Zimbabwe against Algeria in the 2017 African Nations Cup finals.
ROBERT NG'AMBI (PLATINUM STARS AND MALAWI)
Platinum Stars' highest ever goal-scorer is among the most consistent performers in the PSL and very rarely has a bad game.
He has missed just 10 minutes of Stars' league season this campaign and started all 17 matches they have played.
Six goals in the calendar year have taken his tally for the club past 50.
JAMES OKWUOSA (CHIPPA UNITED AND NIGERIA)
The powerful centre-back may not have cut it at Orlando Pirates, but he is a rock at the back for Chippa United and a big part of the improved defensive effort this season that has seen the club concede only 11 goals in 17 games.
The big Nigerian has played every minute for the team.
BRIAN ONYANGO (MARITZBURG UNITED AND KENYA)
Onyango missed the middle part of the year through injury, but when he has played for Maritzburg has been a real rock at the back.
He has featured in seven games this season, during which time they have conceded only four goals and kept four clean sheets.
He also popped up with some crucial goals at the end of last season against Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns.
DENIS ONYANGO (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS AND UGANDA)
Onyango continued to be a huge influence for Sundowns at the back, maintaining the standards that saw him named 2016 African-based Player of the Year by CAF.
He has at times been exposed by his defence, but has also come up with some tremendous saves and it usually takes something special to beat him.
He is a superbly consistent performer.
ROLAND PUTSCHE (CAPE TOWN CITY AND AUSTRIA)
Putsche took some time to get up to speed with the pace of the PSL, but now is fine performer for Cape Town City as a defensive midfielder who also has an eye for goal.
He was a big influence for City as they finished third in the league last season and has kept up that form into the new campaign.
PATRICK TIGNYEMB (BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC AND CAMEROON)
Tignyemb has been known through his career for the odd howler, but the stopper appears now to have removed that from his game and has much more consistency.
Hugely athletic, he appears to cover ground other keepers simply would not get to and, now in his 10thseason in the PSL, has a great deal of experience.