Mayuka fails to impress

CHIPOLOPOLO striker Emmanuel Mayuka failed to find the back of the net as Southampton thrashed Dutch lower-leaguers EHC Hoensbroek 4-0 in the opening pre-season friendly in Belgium.
Mayuka, who spent the season on loan at FC Sochaux now relegated to French Ligue 2, started the match which marked Ronald Koeman first match in charge of the Saints in which he combined experience and youth, playing two different sides in each half.
According to the Southampton website, Sam McQueen gave the visitors an 11th-minute lead, with Calum Chambers doubling the advantage just before the break.
Billy Sharp, on as one of 11 half-time substitutions, made it three from the penalty spot before Steven Davis scored the pick of the bunch soon afterwards to round off the scoring.
Mayuka, who is hoping to cement his place under the new Dutch coach, spurned a trio of chances as he volleyed off target before being denied by two excellent saves before he was replaced by Sam Gallagher in the 46th minute.
Meanwhile, Koeman expressed happiness with how his players fared on what was the third day of their overseas training camp.
“It’s not only the result that is important, but the way that we played. The instruction before the match was to play offensively with a lot of rotations in the midfield and with wing players. Every player played 45 minutes,” he told the club website.
Southampton tomorrow faces KSK Hasselt.

[Times of Zambia]