RAVE REVIEWS FOR MANGEZI

Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter

NOKUTENDA MANGEZI was unfortunate to see his South African Premiership debut end in defeat to champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday evening.

The Zimbabwean teenager made his bow for SuperSport United just a day after being unveiled by the Pretoria side.

He signed a one-year contract, which has an option to extend, from top Zimbabwean nursery Real Betis Academy.

And, he was thrown straight into the thick of things in Matsatsantsa’s league opening Tshwane derby against Masandawana.

With chief striker Bradley Grobler out for a lengthy period, Mangezi is expected to play a huge role at Gavin Hunt’s side.

Lining up alongside countryman Terrence Dzvukamanja, the 19-year-old didn’t disappoint with his high-press game.

He could have scored at least two goals had Mamelodi Sundowns’ Bafana Bafana captain Ronwrn Williams not been brilliant in goals.

Despite seeing his team lose 2-0 at the end, Mangezi did just enough to earn plaudits from SuperSport stand-in coach Andre Arendse, who took charge in the absence of the suspended Hunt.

The 19-year-old Zimbabwe Under-20 striker played the entire game.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game. Mangezi is a good young player. It’s not his best performance tonight but he is learning.

“He has a big heart to earn a place in that team. We saw that in pre-season,” said Arendse.

He said the Zimbabwean was expected to play a huge role for SuperSport United as he was at the team representing the “near future”.

“A tough introduction into the PSL. He can do a lot more. We give him the means to operate, how we want him to play. We will do that because he is learning all the time. He is definitely one for the future. If I say future, I mean the near future.”

Mangezi said:

“I am very happy to have made my debut against Mamelodi Sundowns. It was a great match. I feel confident. My teammates were very good too.

“Coach Gavin (Hunt) and his technical team have given me a lot of support since the day I arrived at the club.

“I am ready to give my best each time I am selected to play. I am also humbled by the support I am receiving from my compatriots back home and here in South Africa.”

Mangezi has been selected in coach Simon Marange’s Young Warriors team to play in the COSAFA Under-20 tournament to be held in Mozambique later this month.