adminmade a mark with a well taken goal, struck on the volley which he hardly celebrated.
Sundowns’ leading scorer from last season could have been sending a silent message to his coach to “look at what you have been missing.”
Mushekwi equalised early in the second period to cancel Bloemfontein Celtics first half effort by Eric Mathoho, before Mozambique international Elias Pelembe grabbed the winning goal deep in injury time to guarantee the big spending Brazilians a hard fought 2-1 win at home.
Mushekwi has had to contend with coming from the bench since the Absa Premiership began with Sundowns new Dutch coach Johan Neeskens often preferring to start with Mabhuti Kanyeza to partner Bafana Bafana striker Katlego Mphela.
The former CAPS United forward had been often coming on as a substitute in the last 15 minutes of the match.
But on Tuesday at Lucas Moripe Stadium he was handed a rare start and the bustling Warriors striker duly delivered when he started with Mphela, who has since scored five league goals.
Mushekwi and Pelembe’s goals ensured that Sundowns, for whom Warriors skipper Method Mwanjali is the captain, became overnight log leaders as the rest of the Absa Premiership teams including then leaders SuperSport United were only expected to be back in action last night.
The goal, coming on the eve of the Warriors African Cup of Nations crucial tie against Cape Verde next week , was not only sweet to Brazilians fans but also to the local fans who would be hoping that Mushekwi will transfer his scoring form to the national team next week.
It would also be welcome news to Warriors coach Norman Mapeza who would want all of his charges to be at their best when they travel for their final and decisive Group A match.
Zimbabwe must beat Cape Verde and also pray that the result in the other Group A match between Liberia and Mali ends in their favour if they are to get the automatic ticket to the 2012 Nations Cup finals.
“I think it is good for us that all the players are getting game time and having an impact at their teams. If they are strikers they are scoring and midfielders they are assisting.
“It is good that players like Khama (Billiat) and Tafadzwa Rusike are also enjoying their game and getting reviews in South Africa. Personally, I know that it motivates and boosts the players’ confidence if they are playing regularly and performing well.
“But in football a bad patch is always there and there is need to guide the players not to overdo things if they are not delivering.
“At times the players may not be getting as much action as we would want them to but you have to understand that coaches methods differ and they would be working with these boys everyday at training.
“We need to go there and win and everyone in the team is aware of that,” said Mapeza.
Mapeza’s men have been getting more game time at their clubs and on Tuesday night Billiat and Rusike, who were on target against Free State Stars over the weekend, were brought down to earth by Tapuwa Kapini’s Amazulu.
The Warriors first choice goalkeeper was not in goals but his fellow countrymen Ramson Zhuwawo and Carlington Nyadombo featured in the match.
At Kaizer Chiefs, the trio of Tinashe Nengomasha, Thomas Sweswe and Zhaimu Jambo have also been playing regularly and were expected to be in action last night against Golden Arrows while Willard Katsande
has had to contend with making substitute appearances.
But former Aces Youth Soccer Academy utility player Lincolin Zvasiya is yet to make his debut for Amakhosi
Jambo, who has been recalled after being overlooked for the Warriors’ last two assignments against Mali and Liberia, said yesterday that it felt “good to be back in the fold”.
“I am just happy to be back in the national team and will keep working hard so that l can be a regular in the team.
“I am also enjoying my game at Chiefs.
“Whenever l am not getting regular action it doesn’t demoralise me but inspires me to continue to work hard at the training session so that l can get a place in the team.
“Right now l am just happy with my game and the fact that l am commanding a jersey in every game and I pray that I will have a good season,” said Jambo.
The former Gunners captain appears to have won the tussle for teh left back slot over new signing Keegan Ritchie. Last season Jambo played second fiddle to Punch Masenamela.
Warriors chief striker Knowledge Musona is also now playing at his new Germany club TSG Hoffenheim and last weekend he played in his second game when he came on as a second half substitute in their 2-0 defeat to Cologne.
Mapeza also reiterated that they are still confident that France-based midfielder Ovidy Karuru would recover in time for the crucial match.
Online Reporter