Warriors striker Takesure Chinyama scored his debut goal for Orlando Pirates, a stunning pile driver, as the Soweto giants beat Khama Billiat’s Ajax Cape Town 2-0 on Tuesday night. It was a night when Zimbabwe strikers lit up the Absa Premier league.
Report by Henry Mhara Sports Reporter It was also a memorable night for fellow Warriors strikers Terrance Mandaza and Cuthbert Malajila who scored brilliant goals to help Maritzburg United earn a 2-2 draw against Black Leopards.
Leopards, eighth position on the log standings, are coached by former Warriors gaffer Sunday Chidzambwa and the club is also home to Zimbabwe international Abbas Amidu.
While Mandaza and Malajila were writing their fairytale stories, leading their side to a five-match unbeaten run, it was former Dynamos striker Chinyama who stole the show at Orlando Stadium with an eye-catching goal on the stroke of full-time to seal Pirates’ win.
The South African league champions were leading 1-0 via a Sifiso Myeni first half goal and with Ajax pressing for an equaliser, Chinyama received the ball at the edge of the penalty area and with his back on goal he turned well before powerfully striking with his left foot.
Chinyama’s goal came on the back of being booed by sections of the crowd after coming in as a second-half substitute.
The effort earned him rave reviews from Supersport pundits who were analysing the match.
The panel included former Warriors striker Ian Gorowa and former Bafana Bafana midfielder Isaac “Shakes” Kungwane.
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“He is going to be the best striker to come from Zimbabwe after you (Gorowa) and Musona Knowledge,” said Shakes.
He added: “There is something that I saw in him against Platinum Stars in his debut match last week, something special. Unfortunately he was booed by the fans and was eventually substituted. Before tonight (Tuesday) most people were not sure about Takesure, but he certainly made sure by scoring that wonderful goal. He looks a good player to me.”
Gorowa was all praise for his countryman.
“He has all good qualities for a good striker. He is big and strong and he has showed us today what he can do. That’s what a striker needs for his confidence. I have no doubt that he will be a success here.”
The win saw Pirates, now on 13 points, closing the gap on log leaders Kaizer Chiefs to just three points, while Maritzburg United is third on nine points.
Washington Arubi’s Pretoria University played a goalless draw with Platinum Stars on Tuesday to maintain their fourth position on the log with nine points. Arubi has been impressive for the new boys, keeping three clean sheets in the four matches he has played.
Chiefs beat Tinashe Nengomasha’s Bidvest Wits University 3-1 on Monday evening with striker Kingstone Nkhata, Willard Katsande and Jimmy Jambo playing the full match for the “Glamour” Boys. Nengomasha also played the whole 90 minutes, while teammate Thomas Sweswe did not feature due to injury.
