WITH THE European football transfer deadline set for close at midnight last night, Warriors striker Knowledge Musona was still not sure where he would be playing in the 2014/2015 season.
ZIMBABWEANS ABROAD WITH WELLINGTON TONI
The Hoffeinheim of Germany striker has made a bold decision that he wants to play in Europe and was on Friday in Holland to negotiate a potential move to FC Twente, but Belgian side Racing Genk joined the race yesterday with some hours to go before the closure of the transfer window.
KickOff.com reported yesterday that Musona was still in Holland despite fresh interest from Belgian side Genk.
“Genk are speaking to Prosport International. There is a great possibility that the deal could go through,” a source said.
While Kingston Nkhatha ensured that Kaizer Chiefs returned to the top of the Absa Premiership in South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns hitman Cuthbert Malajila grabbed all the headlines with a second half double that floored AmaZulu on Sunday.
Having missing the opening matches of the season, Malajila and Kuda Mahachi were in the starting lineup-for the first time this season — against Tapuwa Kapini and Carlington Nyadombo of AmaZulu. Usuthu are at the bottom of the standings.
After a goalless first half at Loftus Versfeld, Malajila struck the opener in the 59th minute and completed his double seven minutes later to leave the defending champions in eighth place.
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Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane heaped praise on Malajila.
“Malajila came to our rescue,” Mosimane said.
“He is fighting for his position and everybody must fight for their position. Normally I play with two strikers, but when Surprise [Moriri] is around, you know the story. When Surprise plays, Sundowns plays.
“There is limited space up-front; [Katlego] Mashego is fighting with Mame Niang as well as Malajila. But Mala was a hawk [on Sunday]. He was pouncing.
“Mala is only interested in scoring . . . he doesn’t care about the play and all that. He is a typical striker, a fox in the box.”
Sundowns were also impressed by Mahachi’s full debut: “Mahachi’s pace and trickery got the visitors’ defence in sixes and sevens for the most part,” read part of the match report on the club’s official website.
Former Warriors hardman Kaitano Tembo took charge of SuperSport United when they were cleaned 2-0 by Chiefs, learning that the top-flight is not an easy stroll. Willard Katsande anchored the Chiefs midfield, while Ovidy Karuru has to wait to make his debut after getting his work permit last week.
For SuperSport, now in 14th place and without a coach, George Chigova has also received his work permit and was part of the 18-man team that lost to Chiefs. Muhsin Ertugral, the Turkish mentor, has been linked with the Matsantsantsa job.
Five Zimbabweans were in action when Mpumalanga Black Aces and Pretoria University played a goalless draw at the weekend.
Energy Murambadoro, Tinashe Nengomasha and Tendai Ndoro featured for Aces, while Patson Jaure made his bow for PU with Washington Arubi in goal.
Denver Mukamba was relegated to the bench for this match after playing in round four.
Khumbulani Banda received a yellow card in the 84th minute when Maritzburg United drew 1-1 with Tom Saintfiet’s Free State Stars.
Terrence Mandaza came off the bench in the 50th minute for Maritzburg.
In the Czech Republic, defending champions Sparta Prague moved closer to the leaders Viktoria Plzen when they beat Jablonec 2-0 for their fourth win of the season in six starts.
Featuring Zimbabwean international left back and the league’s best foreign player last season Costa Nhamoinesu, they now have 12 points, one behind the leaders, but in third place.
In Denmark, Silas Songani scored for Sonderjyske in the 28th minute as they drew 1-1 with Randers.
