“LET’S do this Amakhosi, finish the year on high,” was the bold message from Willard Katsande ahead of Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu clash on Sunday.
Zimbabweans Abroad with Henry Mhara
And indeed the Glamour Boys responded to the memo in emphatic fashion when crushing Carlington Nyadombo and Tapuwa Kapini’s Usuthu 4-1 to finish the year top of the South African Premiership.
Chiefs are on 30 points, five better than second placed Mamelodi Sundowns who dropped two points against Maritzburg United on Friday. The Brazilians however have a game in hand.
Katsande, Knowledge Musona and Kingstone Nkhatha started for Chiefs. Musona scored his third goal of the season in the match, but it was Nkhata who stole the limelight. Often booed by the supporters, he was unplayable on Sunday, setting up two of the four goals. He was rewarded with a man of the match accolade.
“I would like to thank my teammates for the support they always give me to deliver. When you have the support of your teammates, they push you to do well. I would like to thank them highly,” said Nkhatha. “We are happy with the results. We talked about winning the games in succession heading to the festive season break. We needed those maximum points. We worked hard in training and got the results,” added Nkhatha.
Musona was replaced late into the match by fellow countryman Mathew Rusike.
Khama Billiat also scored his third goal of the season, scoring the equaliser for Sundowns in Maritzburg. Cuthbert Malajila did not make the squad for Sundowns due to injury.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Onismor Bhasera was the only Zimbabwean of the four at Bidvest who was on the line-up against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday, which the former won 3-1. Tinashe Nengomasha was on the bench, while Denver Mukamba, Benjani Mwaruwari and Thomas Sweswe did not make the final 18 for Bidvest. It was the same situation for Rodreck Mutuma at Celtic.
Quincy Antipas’ Brondby also finished the year on a high. Their 1-1 draw at Sønderjyske last week means they will start the new season on fourth position with 18 games having been played this season. This is an improvement from last season when the club fought relegation.
It is even better for Costa Nhamoinesu whose club Sparta Praha managed to maintain their 100% start to the season, having managed an impressive 13 wins and 3 draws in 16 games to open a five point gap at the top of the Czech Liga.
Nhamoinesu has played in all the 16 matches and was last week voted the player of the season so far.
Nyasha Mushekwi was introduced on 89th minute for his club KV Oostende, who forced a 2-2 draw away at Zulte Waregem on Saturday. The club is tenth on the 16 team table, with Vusa Nyoni’s Mons anchoring the log.
Nyoni was an unused sub for his club who chalked only their second win of the season with a 2-0 win at Sporting Charleroi. The Warriors’ left-back has been struggling for game time since his move to Mons last season. He has completed just 433 minutes from a possible 1800 this term.
But Nyoni’s situation is better if compared to that of Ovidy Karuru who is also plying his trade in the Belgian Pro-league.
The Warriors midfielder has been completely frozen out of his team OH Leuven. He has not featured in the 20 league games that his club has played, and reports suggest that he is angling for a January transfer move. Oostende are believed to be interested in his services. Bradley Pritchard was an unused sub for English Championship side Charlton Athletic when they were held to a one-all draw by Bolton Wanderers.
The Harare-born Pritchard has made 13 appearances in 21 matches.
As the players break for the festive holidays, the star of the week Nkhatha had a message for them: “I wish everybody a safe travel. God be with us all as we go about the joys of the festive season. Let’s all see 2014. Merry Christmas and a happy 2014.”
