Emmanuel Mayuka makes English Premiership debut

CHIPOLOPOLO coach Honour Janza has expressed happiness that striker Emmanuel Mayuka managed to make his 2014/15 English Premiership debut in Southampton’s 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland at the weekend.
Mayuka had endured difficult times on the bench failing to make his start under new Dutch coach Ronald Koeman after spending a season loan at French Ligue side FC Sochaux.
But Mayuka, who scored in Zambia’s 3-0 win over Niger in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, was handed his debut on Saturday coming in as an 80th minute substitute replacing Graziano Pelle.
Speaking in Lusaka in an interview, Janza, who had earlier advised Mayuka to seek a new club where he can be playing regular football, has u-turned on his earlier advice saying the players needs to work hard to continue more game time.
Janza said he was happy that Mayuka was back on track having scored for his country and also handed a debut at his club season adding that the Chipolopolo needed not to relax but work hard to ensure he makes it in the starting 11.
“As Chipolopolo coach, I am happy with Mayuka’s progress and for now I think I have changed my view on him finding another club but should fight it out at Southampton and be exposed with the best players,” Janza said.
Southampton has made a best start to the season occupying third position on the log 16 points, one behind second placed Manchester City and six adrift leaders Chelsea with Janza urging Mayuka to start scoring goals for the club for the betterment of his career.
“It is good that Mayuka is getting back to a footballer that we knew. Let him stick to Southampton and break the ice and have more play time. Mayuka is a talented and skilful player and I am sure he will break through into the starting 11,” Janza said.
Meanwhile, Collins Mbesuma on Tuesday night inspired Mpumalanga Black Aces to their third successive victory in the South African PSL as they overpowered Orlando Pirates to move second on the log.
This clash was the first encounter for the Zambian striker against Pirates since leaving the Buccaneers in July and Mbesuma proved to be a worthy acquisition for Aces.
Mbesuma, who has maintained top form at Aces, grabbed the lead in the 12th minute after powering in a free header past Senzo Meyiwa, who was off his line to put his side in the driving seat.
Pirates levelled matters in the 70th minute when Lehlohonolo Majoro coolly converted from the spot after Kermit Erasmus was brought down in the box but a late penalty from Mabhuti Khenyeza sealed victory for Aces.
Mbesuma told kickoff.com that he was delighted to score against his former club.
“It was a difficult game, playing against your former club, one always wants to do something, you know, I enjoyed the game and at least we got the three points.
For me as a striker, I have to score in every game and throughout my career I just want to score in every game I play and I must keep doing that,” Mbesuma said in a post match interview.
Aces coach, Clive Barker, was delighted with the match and his team’s play.
“I’m proud of my team; the quality of football we played was fantastic. We dominated the first half with our shape and passing. The penalty (Pirates’ equaliser) changed things.
We knew the next goal was going to be important and thankfully we got it. It was our first penalty for two years,” Barker told kickoff.com
A win moved Aces into second place on 15 points, nine behind leaders Kaiser Chiefs while Pirates dropped into third on 14 points.