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Goal drought hits Europe-based players

Sport
THERE were no goals from Zimbabwean football players based in Europe over the weekend with South Africa-based players hogging the limelight again.

THERE were no goals from Zimbabwean football players based in Europe over the weekend with South Africa-based players hogging the limelight again.

Zimbabweans Abroad with Wellington Toni

In the English Championship, Bradley Pritchard saw his side Charlton Athletic lose 1-0 at home to Millwall on Saturday to drop to 20th position after just one win in seven games which has yielded five points.

The Zimbabwe international played 71 minutes of the match.

In Denmark, Quincy Antipas also failed to get on the scoresheet as Brondby beat AGF to move off from the bottom of the log into 11th place with nine points from nine games.

They have recorded just two wins this season.

In Romania, former Caps United striker Mike Temwanjira was booked in the 48th minute as his top-flight side FC Vaslui drew 1-1 with Brasov.

The home draw enabled them to move into eighth place with 11 points after three wins, two draws and two losses.

Defender Costa Nhamoinesu featured for 90 minutes as Czech Republic leaders Sparta Prague thrashed Slovacko 3-1 to open a four-point lead from second-placed Viktoria Plzen. Prague have eight wins from nine starts and one draw.

Nyasha Mushekwi did not make the final 18 as KV Oostende in the Belgium top-flight drew 1-1 with Gent, while Vusa Nyoni was also not in the Mons team as they were thumped 4-2 by Mechelen.

While the Europe-based players struggled, Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona — the cover stars in the latest hard copy edition of Kick Off — are making the news in South Africa.

It might have been a slow start for Billiat at Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African Premiership, but coach Pitso Mosimane knew the opening goal would eventually come.

And it did come on Saturday as Billiat created one, scored the other and was named the man of the match in the 2-1 win over Bidvest Wits at the weekend.

Yesterday, Mosimane was singing praises of the player he brought in from Ajax Cape Town in a record transfer during the August transfer window.

“You have to look at the chances he creates for us,” Mosimane said.

“He scored against Wits; he hit the post against Arrows and was also named man of the match during that game.

“I think we need to get something out of this boy and help him to where he wants to be. This boy has got something and we wish him all the best,” Mosimane told Kick Off.

The match featured five Zimbabweans with Cuthbert Malajila starring alongside Billiat, while former Warriors skipper Benjani Mwaruwari, Denver Mukamba and Tinashe Nengomasha appeared for Wits.

Sundowns are second on the log standings with 11 points, the same as leaders SuperSport United who drew 1-1 with Tapiwa Kapini and Carlington Nyadombo’s AmaZulu. AmaZulu have 11 points. In third place are Moroka Swallows, who have Zimbabwean international Gilbert Mapemba slowly recovering from a hamstring injury, also with 11 points after a 1-1 draw with Maritzburg United.

Musona was on target again as Kaizer Chiefs beat Platinum Stars 2-1 and are also on 11 points and fifth place.