adminFrom Aaron Dube in Johannesburg
ZIMBABWEAN international striker Brian Abbas Amidu was not in action due to family matters but that did not stop his South African National First Division side, Black Leopards, from scoring an avalanche of goals that saw them beat newly-promoted Maluti FET College 7-4 on Saturday.
The win, at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, saw Lidoda Duvha continue their quest for a quick return to the Absa Premiership as they rose to sixth position on the log, 12 points behind leaders Milano United.
Amidu was ecstatic after the win.
“I had travelled to Zimbabwe to attend to some family matters but I am very happy that the team recorded such a morale-boosting win,” Amidu said.
“I am glad that now all the players we have in the team seem to understand the pressure we are under right now to climb to the top of the ladder as we fight to regain our PSL status.
“Our biggest aim remains that of promotion at the end of the season and I believe the squad we have can do it for us.”
In another NFD fixture, the Zimbabwean trio of Ralph Matema, Peter and Patrick Mubaiwa all played as Witbank Spurs won 1-0 away to African Warriors to rise to 12th on the log, albeit with a game in hand over the log leaders on Sunday.
The PSL programme was a mixed bag for Zimbabwean players – Bidvest Wits University settling for a 0-0 home draw against Mpumalanga Black Aces at the Bidvest Stadium on Friday evening.
Onismor Bhasera, who played the full 90 minutes, was the only Zimbabwean in action for the Clever Boys, who also have Benjani Mwaruwari, Tinashe Nengomasha, Thomas Sweswe and Denver Mukamba in their books.
Skipper Method Mwanjali also played the full game, but former national team goalkeeper, Energy Murambadoro was not in the Mpumalanga Black Aces team.
Takesure Chinyama was absent as his Platinum Stars romped to the Telkom Knockout final against their MTN8 victims Orlando Pirates.
Stars beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night to set up a date against Caf Champions League finalists Pirates.
Not even the presence of defensive link Willard Katsande and the late entry of strikers Knowledge Musona and Kingstone Nkhatha could bring the spirit back in the jaded Amakhosi camp who seemed content with the loss with a lackluster performance.
Pirates progressed at Pretoria’s Lucas Moripe Stadium earlier at the expense of SuperSport United, for whom former Warriors defender Kaitano Tembo is assistant coach.
In a league encounter played on Sunday, Terrence Mandaza came in as a 70th minute substitute for Delron Buckley but his introduction was not enough to stop a 1-2 loss to Golden Arrows in a KwaZulu Natal derby played at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban.
Goals from Thanduyise Khuboni and Bongi Ntuli did all the work for the home side while Ayanda Nkosi scored the face-saver for United.
Tapuwa Kapini was on the bench as AmaZulu threw away a 1-0 lead to settle for their third straight draw 1-1 away to Free State Stars at the Charles Mopeli Stadium.
Defender Carlington Nyadombo played the whole game for Usuthu.
At the University of Limpopo, Polokwane City made light work of Pretoria University, who they beat 3-0, courtesy of goals from Essau Kanyenda, Galabgwe Moyana and Puleng Tlolane.
Washington Arubi was in goals for the losing AmaTuks for whom striker Obadiah Tarumbwa came in as an 80th minute substitute.
Online Reporter