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Cuthbert Malajila

Sikhumbuzo Moyo
ZIMBABWEAN striker Cuthbert Malajila had a scoring debut for his new South African Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns while his fellow countryman Denver Mukamba at Wits University saw red in a weekend that had three foreigners red carded on the opening of the Absa Premiership.

Liberian Anthony Laffor, Malajila’s teammate at Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic’s Ghanaian player John Arwuah were the other two red carded players.

Malajila though, who joined the Brazilians from Maritzburg United, hit the nets in the 61st minute as the Pitso Mosimane coached side beat Bloemfontein Celtics 3-1 with the other two goals for the winners coming from Hlopho Kekana in the 23rd minute and Teko Modise in the 72nd minute.

Another Zimbabwean Rodreck Mutuma was taken out for Auguston Leonard just before the second half started but it was still not enough for Celtic to claim a win. However, they were able to find a consolation in the 90th minute through a penalty from Joel Mugorosi.
Former Warriors captain Esrom Nyandoro set it out on the terraces for Mamelodi Sundowns.

In Sunday’s only other match featuring Platinum Stars and Wits University that ended 0-0, there was drama even before the match started after the match officials were arrested just before kickoff on suspicion of driving a stolen car.

When the match eventually started, the two teams were neck and neck until the former Dynamos star player Mukamba’s  moment of  madness seven minutes before time.

Mukamba whose attitude and behaviour even back home in Zimbabwe was always under the spotlight following a series of red cards, was shown a straight red for violent conduct after he hit Lindokuhle Mbatha.

Wits University is also home to Tinashe Nengomasha and Benjani Mwaruwari who was taken out in the 46th minute for Getaneh Bebeto from Ethiopia. Nengomasha played the full match.

In Belgium, it has been a terrible start for the three Zimbabweans playing in the Jupiler League as their teams are yet to register a win in two starts so far.

Former Highlanders midfielder Vusa Nyoni, who plays for Mons has seen his side draw one game and lose the other.
They lost 1-2 to Loveren over the weekend while Ovidy Karuru’s Leuven were hammered 1- 4 by Genk.

Nyasha Mushekwi’s KV Oostende lost 1-2 to Club Brugge.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has expressed satisfaction with the performance of Knowledge Musona in the 1-0 win against Mpumalanga Black Aces, but insists the striker will have to adapt to the team’s style of play.

The Zimbabwean international played his first competitive game for Amakhosi since leaving Naturena for Germany two years ago, and had a few chances to get on the score sheet too.

Speaking to the online Kick-Off, Baxter said he was happy with what he saw from the player, but says there is quite a bit of room for improvement.
“Considering the time he has spent with us, Knowledge did very well,” the coach said.

“We would like Knowledge to play more facing the opponents’ goal rather than with his back to goal.
“He’ll need to get used to the way we play because it’s a little bit more progressive than what he used to play with his club in Germany.

“But again, for his first real game with us, I think he got into two or three really good positions and with a little bit of luck could have scored a goal,” said Baxter.