Maweja Takers started their new season with a bang when they brutally walloped Thohoyandou Development 4-1 in their MMK Funeral Services League match at the Tshakhuma Mulangaphuma grounds on Sunday.

 It was the first official match for Takers under the guidance of their new coach, Mr Mzwakhe Nyathi, who joined the Tshakhuma side last month.

It took the home side only 18 minutes to stamp their authority. Their killer-striker, Mukandangalwo Ramunana, unleashed a volley from outside the box. The keeper of Development, Oriel Mashawana, palmed the ball back into the net while trying to clear.

The goal injected more life into the strikers of Maweja Takers. They kept on initiating some defence-splitting moves from the middle of the park, making life more difficult for the defenders of Development. Mukandangalwo, or “Décor” as he is widely known, was on target again in the 39^th minute. He headed home, following a square pass from Vhutshilo Gabuza.

Thohoyandou Development did not give in without a fight, despite the fact that they were trailing 0-2 at half time. They continued to fight like a team, especially at the centre of the pitch from where Mulalo Ragadza was distributing telling passes. Ragadza was unfortunate in the 57^th minute. His close-range volley hit the crossbar and bounced back into the field of play.

Thohoyandou Development were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty box. Dakalo Tshithavhane beat the keeper from the set piece.

The technical staff of Development then made a brave decision when they replaced keeper Oriel Mashawana with Ambani Razwimisani. Maweja Takers responded by introducing Sheriff Mudalahothe and Phumudzo Nemutandani for Mukandangalwo Ramunana and Aluwani Mbedzi respectively.

Maweja’s replacements proved to be a clever move on the part of the team’s technical staff. They scored two more goals in the 74^th and 80^th minute respectively. The team’s captain, Khuliso Netshulu, beat the keeper with a half volley. A substitute, Sheriff Mudalahothe, was on target after beating the offside trap to bring the final score to 4-1.