adminZIMBABWEAN coach, Kaitano Tembo, earned a point in his first match in charge of Sekhukhune United as the South African Premiership got underway at the weekend.
The match against Maritzburg United ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
Tembo joined Sekhukhune after parting ways with SuperSport United.
The coach gave Victor Letsoalo and Tshegofatso Mabasa their league debuts for Sekhukhune.
Goalkeeper King Ndlovu, Bonginkosi Makume, Given Mashikinya and Bongani Sam all got their first starts for Maritzburg.
Tembo’s men were off to the brightest of starts early on as a curling free-kick on the edge of the area saw Letsoalo’s header force an outstretched palm from Ndlovu.
The Team of Choice lined out a response minutes thereafter after a telling attempt brought a smart save off goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata before Amadou Soukouna scuffed a one-two.
Sekhukhune showcased accuracy though and were ahead on 15 minutes when Mabasa rounded Ndlovu, following a defensive mix-up, and tucked into an empty net.
With their backs against the wall, Maritzburg began to throw numbers forward but they were undone by ill-timed off-the-ball runs and slow final pass.
The visitors were eager to maintain dominance after halftime and came close to a second when a header from Mabasa forced a point-blank save from Ndlovu, following Roderick Kabwe’s free-kick.
John Maduka’s men regained confidence moments later and snapped an inviting chance in the area, through Zimbabwean striker Tawanda Macheke as the visitors failed to stop a reverse pass.
Maritzburg probed and were rewarded as Sam slammed in a rebound from the spot, five minutes to the end of the game, after Makume had the initial strike saved following a foul on Brandon Theron.
A quiet closing couple of minutes brought little in the way of clear-cut chances therefore it finished honours even in Pietermaritzburg. – Sports Reporter/KickOff
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter