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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
MAMELODI Sundowns ripped Telkom Knockout Cup holders Bloemfontein Celtics apart in a first round match played at Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday.Warriors’ midfielder Khama Billiat scored a brace, his second goal coming off a Cuthbert Malajila pass as the Brazilians romped to a 4-0 win, in the process booting the holders out of the R14 million tournament.
Billiat scored his first goal on the half hour mark when he brilliantly blasted home Bryce Moon’s well taken cross. He put the final nail in the 48th minute from a Malajila pass to ensure Mamelodi Sundowns stayed on course for their first silverware in six years while it was back to the drawing board for the losers, home to former Dynamos forward Roderick Mutuma.
Golden Arrows punished Onismor Bhasera, Thomas Sweswe and Benjani Mwaruwari’s Bidvest Wits when they twice came from behind to eventually win 3-2.
It was more misery for fellow Zimbabweans at AmaZulu, Tapuwa Kapini and Carlington Nyadombo as they fell 0-2 to Free State Stars.
Former Hwange, Monomotapa and Dynamos forward Takesure Chinyama’s Platinum Stars who shocked giants Orlando Pirates in the MTN final last week, emerged 2-0 winners over Maritzburg United with Chinyama coming in the 83rd minute for Robert Ng’ambi.
University of Pretoria, home to Washington Arubi and Obadiah Tarumbwa, were humbled 0-1 by Moroka Swallows.
All the participants in the knockout tournament received R250 000 while first round losers will get an extra R200 000.
Losing quarter-finalists will get R400 000 with the two losing semi-finalists set to receive R750 000.
The team that will lose in the final will take home a cool R1.5 million with winners of the cup getting R4 million.
In Europe, no Zimbabwean managed to collect maximum points with his team, with the best result being a draw.
Former Motor Action player Quincy Antipas’ Denmark side, Brondby held Nordsjaelland to a one all draw to take their points tally to 13 from 11 games. Antipas was yellow carded in the 52nd minute.
In Romania, Mike Temwanjira’s team, Vaslui, were beaten at home 0-1 by visiting Steaua Buccarest for their second loss on the trot.
Nyasha Mushekwi, who was out of action in the last couple of weeks, retained to the first team and came in as a second half substitute for Jonathan Wilmer but did little to help his Jupiler League side KV Ostende as they fell 0-2 to Waasland-Beveren.
Vusa Nyoni’s Mons lost 1-2 to Lierse and remained fully rooted at the bottom of the log standings with just two points.
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