WARRIORS striker Edward Sadomba shined in the Caf Confederations Cup on a weekend when most Zimbabweans abroad had a terrible time. Report by Henry Mhara
Sadomba, who has scored five goals in the tournament so far, was part of the Sudanese Al-Hilal team that beat Malian side Djoliba 2-0 in the first leg in Khartoum, to stay firmly on course towards this year’s final.
The speedy winger would be annoyed though to note he has failed to make it into the top five of the African Player of the Year (based in Africa) finalists that was announced by Caf yesterday.
Sadomba was nominated among the 32 best African players early this month, but has failed to make it into the final list where Mohammed Aboutrika, Rainford Kalaba, Stoppila Sunzu, Yannick N’Djeng and Yousse Msakni are the remaining contestants.
While Sadomba’s team was making headlines in the continent, it was generally not a good weekend for Zimbabweans in the South African league.
Of six Zimbabwean players who took part in the Telkom Knockout Cup (TKO), quarter-final matches over the weekend, only Nyasha Mushekwi and Esrom Nyandoro of Mamelodi Sundowns had something to smile about.
Sundowns beat AmaZulu 2-0 with Mushekwi, who came in as a 71st minute substitute, creating the penalty for his side’s second goal.
Nyandoro played the whole match for the “Brazilians”, while AmaZulu’s Carlington Nyadombo was red-carded on 77th minute for a second bookable offence.
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Cuthbert Malajila and compatriot Terrance Mandaza partnered upfront for Maritzburg United,but there was nothing they could do to help their side, as they went down 2-0 to SuperSport United in the other TKO semi-final match.
Thomas Sweswe played the whole match, as his Bidvest Wits side lost 4-3 on penalties to Free States Stars after the match had finished goalless.
Moving further abroad, Ovidy Karuru and Vusa Nyoni were both on the losing end in Belgium.
Nyoni’s Beerschot lost 2-1 at home to Waasland-Beveren, their fourth defeat on the trot, with the Warriors left-back playing the full match.
Karuru was an unused sub for OH Leuven, as they went down 2-0 away to Standard Liege, to end the teams’ five match unbeaten run.
In Cyprus, Eddie Mashinya played the whole match, as his basement side Ethnikos Achna drew 1-1 away to AEL while Noel Kaseke was not even on the bench for his equally struggling Alki Larnaca who were beaten 3-1 at home by Apollon.
Quincy Antipas’ Brondby side were humiliated 3-0 at home by OB in the Danish league.
Antipas, who scored his first goal for the basement side last week, played the whole match and received a yellow card in the 27th minute. Knowledge Musona played for 68 minutes for Augsburg in the Bundesliga, as the team lost 2-0 away to Hannover 96. With the defeat, the Augsburg-based team returned back at the foot of the table.
Archford Gutu summed up the awful weekend for Zimbabweans abroad when his Kalmar FF side fell 3-0 away to Syrianska FC, their second defeat on the trot.
The former Dynamos midfielder played for 71 minutes before he made way for Pape Diouf of Senegal.
