Mbongiseni Buthelezi
National First Division newcomers Sivutsa Stars showed that they are no push-overs, putting up a brave fight to record a 1-0 victory over the more fancied Dynamos at KwaNyamazane Stadium in Mpumalanga.
Young Bantu Ngidi got Sivutsa’s campaign off to a memorable start, scoring after 20 minutes to seal the three points for the Mpumalanga-based club in a hard fought encounter.
Despite their impressive start, Sivutsa head coach MacDonald Makhubedi said the club would not get carried away.
“We will not allow our win against Dynamos to get to our heads. We should have scored at least six goals, but we were wasteful in front of goal. We are still in a learning phase,” he said.
Makhubedi then hailed Ngidi, the 24-year old striker who scored 30 goals in the Vodacom League for Mpumalanga club Amazayoni in 2009/10 season before being promoted to Mpumalanga Black Aces, where he played two matches in the Absa Premiership.
“He is an excellent finisher. Powerful and well-built like a genuine striker from the continent. He can be a leading goal scorer this season. He was never given much of a chance by Aces before coming to us,” said Makhubedi. University of Pretoria showed they mean business this season by easily dismantling Atlie 2-0 in Pretoria on Saturday.
Blackburn Rovers’ Zukisani Ngalo’s stole the show with a late winner to hand his team a 2-1 victory in Port Elizabeth over Witbank Spurs, while Thanda Royal Zulu edged past FC Cape Town at NNK Stadium 1-0.
Elsewhere Craig Roslee, the former treble-winning Orlando Pirates assistant coach, started life as Black Aces coach and saw his team salvage a 1-1 draw against United FC at Puma Rugby Stadium.
Vasco da Dama came out tops over African Warriors 4-2 at Parrow Past Stadium in Cape Town, while a brilliant first half goal by Nkane Zwane of Carara Kicks won the match for the Free Staters team against new comers Chippa United FC at Botshabelo Stadium in the Free State.