Mwanjali goal fires Sundowns

By Grace Chingoma
WARRIORS defender Method Mwanjali grabbed his second goal for Mamelodi Sundowns at the weekend when he struck a first half opener to help his team to a 3-2 ABSA Premiership home win over Golden Arrows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Chief striker Katlego Mpela then added a brace getting his first with a 47th minute goal struck on the turn before firing in a 73rd minute penalty to take Sundowns into second place, albeit temporarily.
This is because Ajax Cape Town for whom Khama Billiat, Tafadzwa Rusike and Willard Katsande played yesterday eked a 2-1 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces at Athlone to reclaim second place.
Rusike actually came on as a second half replacement for new Warriors recruit Billiat.
But it was Mwanjali who was the only Zimbabwean on target in the ABSA Premiership.
On a day when Sundowns’ caretaker Zimbabwean coach Ian Gorowa thrust four of his countrymen into the starting line-up, Mwanjali repaid the faith shown in him by his mentor with his second goal since joining the Brazilians in July last year.
Mwanjali got the end of a fine Sundowns move to beat the half time whistle by stabbing the ball past Golden Arrows goalkeeper Russell Khuzwayo.
The Warriors centre back is one of four Zimbabwean players on the Sundowns books with the others being skipper Esrom Nyandoro, midfielder Lionel Mtizwa and striker Nyasha Mushekwi.
After his team suffered a reverse in their last fixture, Gorowa put faith in his countrymen and they did not let him down contributing significantly to the hard fought victory.
Mushekwi was however, guilty of a number of missed close chances for Sundowns but despite expressing disappointment with his team’s nervy finish after they conceded two late goals off deflections from the defenders, Gorowa was still satisfied with the three points in the bag.
The home team was cruising to victory, 3-0 up with 10 minutes to go, but in the end had to hold on as Arrows scored two late goals.
The match got off to a high tempo start with ‘Downs in particular looking a threat on attack.
Arrows though also had their moments in attack early on with Jabulani Nene, Songwe Chalwe and Collins Mbesuma all getting a sniff at goal in the opening 15 minutes.
For the most part though it was the Brazilians who were on top and Khuzwayo had to be at his best to get down and palm away Papi Zothwane’s hammered low drive after 19 minutes.
Saturday’s victory was the third for Gorowa and his men following a 3-0 triumph over Bidvest Wits on February 26 and another fine 2-0 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces away on March 2.
While Mwanjali found the target for Sundowns, there was no such luck for the Kaizer Chiefs’ Zimbabwean trio of Knowledge Musona, Thomas Sweswe and Tinashe Nengomasha as their team needed a late, late equaliser from Siphiwe Tshabalalala to force a 1-1 draw against Free State State Stars at the Peter Mokaba stadium.
Musona who is currently leading the goal scoring sheets with 11 goals has seen his lead being cut to one goal by last season Leslie Manyathela golden boot award winner Katlego Mphela who now has ten goals.