SOUTH African Absa Premiership side Pretoria University coach Clive Barker believes Zimbabwe international goalkeeper Washington Arubi is the best.
Zimbabweans Abroad By Henry Mhara
The 27-year-old is one of the main reasons the new boys are perched comfortably on sixth position on the log standings, 10 points off the log leaders, as the Absa Premiership reached the halfway stage over the weekend.
Arubi has had a tremendous season so far, but it was his performance against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday which made the whole world take notice.
Arubi kept the Chiefs attackers at bay with some brilliant saves including a one-on-one against Lehlohonolo Majoro on 60th minute, as the two sides fought to a 1-1 draw.
Arubi also repelled the log leaders’ attacks especially at the end of the match, denying Siphiwe Tshabalala with his trademark one-hand save in the 80th minute.
A minute later Kingston Nkhatha pounced on a ball after Arubi blocked a shot, only to see his fierce attempt blocked by the keeper for another save.
The former Lancashire Steel, Highlanders, Bantu Rovers and Dynamos goalkeeper was rightly named man-of-the-match for his performance.
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“In my opinion, he is one of the top goalkeepers in the country and once again he showed his worth,” remarked Barker.
Arubi’s performance in South Africa would be good news for new Warriors coach Klaus Pagels who would be looking to assemble his squad with a solid backline.
The goalkeeper was recently exonerated in the Asiagate match fixing scandal, and is a sure bet for a Warriors return when the squad to clash with Egypt in the World Cup qualifiers is announced early next year. Another player who has taken the Absa Premiership by storm is striker Cuthbert Malajila.
Here is a man who has literally carried Maritzburg United on his shoulders.
The 27-year-old scored his seventh goal of the season on Friday night, albeit in a losing cause as his Maritzburg United side, currently fifth on the log, went down 2-1 to Orlando Pirates.
With that goal, Malajila is now second on the goalscoring.
Malajila’s striking partner Terrance Mandaza played for 83 minutes, but there was no place for Takesure Chinyama in the Pirates final 18. Pagels would also be pleased to note that Knowledge Musona is now getting game time at Augsburg although a Bundesliga goal continues to elude the 21-year-old.
Musona played 90 minutes against former champions Bayern Munich last week and was again in the starting line-up for his side as they surrendered a one-goal lead to draw 1-1 at Greuther Furth.
