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Sikhumbuzo Moyo
FORMER Warriors skipper Method Mwanjali was handed the Mpumalanga Black Aces captaincy for the season but it was a bad debut for him as his side lost to a fourth minute Kaizer Chiefs goal through Bernard Parker in the South African league season opener on Friday. The former Hwange, Shabanie Mine and Caps United utility player joined the Clive Barker coached side after three seasons at the cash rich Mamelodi Sundowns.
Even though they lost to the reigning Absa Premiership champions, Mwanjali and his teammates put up a good show especially his defence partner Eduardo Ferreira from Brazil.
The match was a rude welcome home for Warriors striker Knowledge Musona who was yellow carded in the 39th minute after fouling his opponent as he was going for goal.
Another Zimbabwean in the Amakhosi starting line-up Willard Katsande controlled the midfield like a general, operating from box to box and thwarting some dangerous raids from the home side. Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter introduced Kingstone Nkata for Lehlohonolo Majoro in the 74th minute while Mathew Rusike was an unused substitute.
On Saturday, former teammates at Highlanders goalkeeper Washington Arubi and striker Obadiah Tarumbwa had a losing reunification match when their team Pretoria University lost one-nil to Moroka Swallows. It was a late Lerato Chabangu strike that broke the hearts of AmaTuks.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, the Bafana Bafana playmaker stepped up and showed great technique to hand his side the three points.
Siyabonga Nomvete threatened with a shot just outside the box, but it was well handled by Arubi.
Swallows came out flying after the restart and felt aggrieved when they were not awarded a penalty when Tarumbwa blocked Nomvete’s cross into the box.
Mpho Maruping tried his luck from range a minute later, before Dipsy Selolwane saw his strike brilliantly blocked by Larry Cohen.
Chabangu came close with a free-kick on 72 minutes, before Greg Etafia pulled off a crucial double save to deny Lucky Mathosi’s header and then Selolwane’s follow-up shot.
At the other end, Arubi made a double save off Lefa Tsutsulupa’s header and then a near post tap-in to keep the scoreline goalless with just eight minutes to go.
However, Chabanga had the final say when he produced an audacious goal in which he lobbed a shot over Arubi and into the back of the net with just a minute to go.
Online Reporter