Striker Atusaye Nyondo finally received his work permit from the South Africa Home Affairs Department on Tuesday afternoon then scored at night for University of Pretoria in 1-1 draw with BidVest Wits University.
Nyondo, who was unable to represent the Flames in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations two-legged qualifiers against Benin due to the work permit delays, slid the ball into the net after five minutes.
“I received the work permit at 6 pm and the coach [Steve Barker] had to change the squad to accommodate me. It is always a pleasure to be available for the national team. We have a chance to beat Mali, but let us support the coaches. Sometimes, we let them down by not supporting them,” Nyondo explained in a telephone interview.
He is now available for the Flames’ next game in Mali on September 6 2014, a development that has excited Flames deputy coach Jack Chamangwana who on Wednesday described him “as one of our top strikers who is definitely in our plans.”
Atusaye slid the ball into the net in the fifth minute.
He timed his run to perfection to connect fellow striker Geoffrey Massa’s rolling cross from the left wing.
Wits levelled matters in the 56th minute through Henrico Botes who finished off Christopher Katongo’s powerful shot which Pretoria goalkeeper Washington Arubi spilled.
Wits top the South Africa Premiership on four points from two games whereas Pretoria, coached by Steve Barker, are down the table on just a point.
In Zimbabwe, defender George Nyirenda has established himself as Caps United regular having played in five consecutive games whereas Ishmael Thindwa and Gerald Phiri Junior are in and out of the squad for the Harare giants.
