Chronicle Editor
Tadious Manyepo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE international youth call-up Nokutenda Mangezi was unfortunate to see his South African Premiership debut end in a 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 Tswane 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 and he was promptly thrown into the fray.
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 Ronwin Williams not been brilliant in goals for the mega-rich Pretoria giants.
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 and kept the Mamelodi Sundowns defence at bay throughout the 90.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game. But it was a well fought-out game. We look good and finish the chances that we create.
“Yea, 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 ace 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 himself was thrilled with how everything unfolded in his first match in the South African league.
A lot is expected from the budding star who has become the first Zimbabwean player to join a South African team straight from the country for the first time in more than two years.
“I am very happy to have made my debut against Mamelodi Sundowns. It was 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,” said Mangezi.
“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.
It remains to be seen if he will make himself available or he will opt to settle at his team first before representing the national team.
Under-20 squad
Goalkeepers
Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds), Michael Kubvedzi (ZPC Kariba), Tatenda Chikowero (Ngezi Platinum)
Defenders
Allan Karakadzai (Simba Bhora), Alla Chapinduka (TelOne), Herbert Dick Jr (Arenel Movers), Blessed Mashonganyika (Ngezi Platinum), Kurainashe Musanhi (Crystal Palace), Mvelo Khoza (Highlanders)
Midfielders
Kennedy Mupomba (Chelsford City FC), Alvin Antonio (Greenfuel), Denzel Mapuwa (Greenfuel), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders), Kingsley Mureremba (Capsd United), Morris Musamba (Bikita Minerals), Enock Moyo (Bikita Minerals), Tnaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum), Nesbert Muzenda (Ngezi Platinum), Sean Mzinde (Harare City), Prince Magondo (Black Rhinos), Mavel Mbedzi (Dynamos), Craig Ndlovu (Chicken Inn), Mafios Chiweta (Ajax Hotspurs), Munashe Munenzva
Forwards
Nokutenda Mangezi (Supersport United), Nigel Banda (Highlanders), Tanaka Cherera (Bury FC), Messi Gushero (Dulibadzimu)
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