CUTHBERT Malajila’s star continues to shine in South Africa after the striker netted Maritzburg United’s opener in the 3-1 win over Moroka Swallows, a goal that put the 27-year-old third on the Absa Premiership top goalscorer chart.
Report by Henry Mhara Sports Reporter
The former Chapungu, Highlanders and Dynamos hitman, who has so far played in all the 12 matches for Maritzburg, has six goals, one behind the joint top goalscorers Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Majoro, both of Kaizer Chiefs.
Malajila found the opener for the Pietermaritzburg side in the 18th minute, nipping in to deflect into the nets a long ball from the back after the Swallows defence had failed to clear their lines.
Terrence Mandaza scored the insurance goal for Maritzburg in a match Swallows defender Gilbert Mapemba netted an equaliser on 26th minute before being shown a straight red-card six minutes later for a two-footed lunge on Reuben Cloete.
Oscar Machapa made a comeback into the Swallows line-up after a long time, playing the last 12 minutes of the match.
With the win, Maritzburg ensured their strong start to the league as they sit third on the log, four points off log leaders Kaizer Chiefs.
Khama Billiart scored his second goal for Ajax Cape Town this season, as the Cape side ended a five-match winning drought with a 3-2 win over Chippa United.
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The Warriors striker broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when he impressively went through Chippa’s defence to slice the ball past keeper Sander Westerveld
Tafadzwa Rusike came in a substitute for Ajax with 15 minutes remaining.
Kaizer Chiefs had Lincoln Zvasiya and Willard Katsande on the starting line-up as they lost 2-0 to Platinum Stars, their first defeat of the season.
Kingston Nkhata was introduced on the 46th minute, but the big striker could not rescue the match.
Mamelodi Sundowns finally found out how to win as they beat Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 to end a 10-match winless streak in the league.
Esrom Nyandoro played the whole match while Nyasha Mushekwi and troubled Method Mwanjali did not make it into the final 18.
Reports this week suggested Sundowns will not renew Mwanjali’s contract.
Washington Arubi conceded his eleventh goal of the season when his Pretoria University side were beaten 2-1 by Abbasi Amidu’s Black Leopards, while Amidu was pulled out at halftime.
Carlington Nyadombo and Ramson Zhuwawo were on the starting line-up for AmaZulu as they recorded their seventh defeat of the season. “Usuthu”, who fired their coach Roger Palmgren yesterday as a result, are at the bottom of the log.
Orlando Pirates maintained pressure on Chiefs with a 2-0 win over Bidvest Wits University.
Takesure Chinyama was a 76th minute substitute for Pirates while Tinashe Nengomasha and Thomas Sweswe played the whole match for the “Students”.
In the Bundesliga, Knowledge Musona’s Augsburg looked on course for a win in six matches after taking a fifth minute lead, but then allowed Borussia M’gladbach to equalise with five minutes remaining.
Musona was on the touchline preparing to go into the match when the equaliser was scored.
Bradley Pritchard played the whole match for his English championship side Charlton Athletic in a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town.
Still in England, Onismor Bhasera’s Plymouth Argyle recorded their third loss in a row with a 1-0 loss to Chesterfield. Bhasera played the whole match.
In Belgium, Ovidy Karuru was substituted with eight minutes remaining as his OH Leuven snatched a point at Genk with an injury time equaliser.
Vusa Nyoni’s Beerschot is staring relegation after a 4-1 defeat to Anderlecht.
Quincy Antipas’ Brondby side recorded their third win in 18 matches with a 2-0 win over Horsens in the Danish league to move to second position from the bottom on the log standings.
