Mutuma breaks goal duck

Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE international forward Roderick Mutuma finally broke his goal duck in the South African Premiership when he scored during Bloemfontein Celtics’ 3-2 victory over Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was on the same night that Warriors winger Khama Billiat made his debut for Mamelodi Sundowns during their 1-1 stalemate against Platinum Stars.
Billiat joined the Brazilians after protracted negotiations during the period when the lively winger was also linked with possible moves to Russia and Belgium.
The former Aces Youth Soccer Academy had delayed making his debut for the Brazilians since moving from Ajax Cape Town because of a work permit that he secured this week.
The matches in Super Diski in midweek was an exhibition of Zimbabwean attacking talent with Billiat and Cuthbert Malajila featuring in the Sundowns’ first XI.
Obediah Tarumbwa led the University of Pretoria attack and came close, on a number of occasions, before having a goal disallowed in a 0-1 defeat to SuperSport United.
Bidvest Wits won 1-0 on Wednesday after sending a first XI that featured two Zimbabweans, Benjani Mwaruwari and Denver Mukamba, in their starting XI.
Mukamba was withdrawn, with an injury, in the first half and benjani came close twice but could not open his account.
But the night belonged to lanky forward Mutuma who came from the bench in the 62nd minute to grab his debut official goal for the Free State side. Mutuma yesterday told The Herald from his base that he was happy to finally break his duck and is hopeful of getting more goals.
“l am feeling really happy to score at long last. My target is to help my team to win more trophies during the season,” said Mutuma.
Mutuma joined Bloemfontein Celtics during the January transfer period and made his debut against Maritzburg United on April 7 and after eight months in the South African Premiership, he has struggled to find the target.
The former Sporting Manhenga player believes that he has now settled well at his new base where the facilities are much better that at home.
“Soccer is all the same but I was working hard to get the job done but I was unlucky. I will strive to work harder and the equipment here is better than what is available back home,” he said.
While his focus is on helping his side to win trophies this season, Mutuma said he still passionately follows the domestic Premiership and hopes that his former club Dynamos will defend their league title.
Over the last two seasons, Mutuma had played a crucial role in Dynamos’ success as they won both the League and Cup double.
“I am still following Zimbabwe football. It’s very difficult to forget that because the fans were everything,” he said.
Mutuma told Kick Off that he was happy that his coach Clinton Larsen’ showed faith in him during the time he was firing blanks.
“I want to thank the coach, my fellow teammates and our fans for all the support they have been giving me.
“They have been always telling me that I should not put myself under pressure because goals will eventually come.
“I’m positive this is the beginning of greater things to come for me,” he says.
Mutuma hopes to increase his tally when his side come face to face with Free State Stars in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
“It would be nice to score in the Free State Derby. But I’m not going to put myself under pressure. If my teammate is in a better scoring position than me I’ll pass the ball to him to score.
“I won’t be selfish,” he told Kick Off. Com.
While Mutuma has finally opened his account, pressure is mounting for Knowledge Musona to break his duck since his return from Germany.
Musona again failed to score as Kaizer Chiefs drew 1-1 with Moroka Swallows but the Warriors chief striker, who was impressive all night, still has the support of the club coach Stuart Baxter and former striker Fani Madida. Both Baxter and Madida have appealed to their fans to be patient with Musona as he tries to re-establish himself.