He could not do it for almost a year while with Orlando Pirates, but Phumudzo Menenzhe scored the crucial opening goal that paved the way for Wits University’s 3-0 Premier League win over Maritzburg United only minutes after coming onto the field at Bidvest Stadium as a second-half substitute on Saturday afternoon.
It was a storybook debut for the gangling striker in sultry, oppressive conditions, which Maritzburg might have found more akin to those in KwaZulu-Natal. A snappy 72nd-minute second goal by Abram Raselemane assured Wits remain strongly in contention for the Premier Soccer League title.
A rampaging Menenzhe also had a hand in Wits’ close-range, third goal in the 92nd minute from Kenwyn Manuel, with struggling Maritzburg a well-beaten and bewildered team by that stage.
Watching the game in the stands was bolting Amaglug-glug coach Steve Komphela, who during the past week created a tizzy within South African soccer circles by agreeing to take over at the helm of Maritzburg.
And the worried look on Komphela’s face reflected the appearance of someone who has opted to leap from the frying pan into the fire.
Wits, on the other hand, displayed the competence and professionalism that has marked their play all season in maintaining an unbeaten home record of six wins and two draws.
And they achieved this without the services of nippy, goal-grabbing Brazilian striker Marcos de Jesus, while banishing memories of a dour goalless draw against Maritzburg in a first-round league fixture.
Still, it was not a performance that canny coach Boebie Solomons found entirely to his liking.
”The team was too static and one-paced,” said the Wits coach, ”particularly in the goalless opening period.”
The soaring temperatures probably played a part in this, although it is Maritzburg who are now feeling the heat after conceding nine goals in their last two matches. — Sapa