NGEZI PLATINUM…………. (1) 1 HIGHLANDERS…………….. (2) 4
PRINCE Dube scored a brace as an efficient Highlanders went top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table with a comfortable win at Ngezi Platinum, consigning the home side to yet another miserable home defeat.
BY HENRY MHARA IN NGEZI
Dube opened the scoring on 10th minute when he was released on a counter attack and beat Ngezi goalkeeper Tinashe Matore on his near post. Matore could have done better.
Highlanders increased their advantage on 28th minute, albeit in controversial fashion, when referee Nomore Musundire allowed play to continue after Matore appeared to have been fouled from a corner and dropped the ball for Eric Mudzingwa to stab the ball home.
First half substitute Washington Pakamisa gave Ngezi hope of a comeback when he headed home on the stroke of halftime. However, Rahman Kutsanzira restored Bosso’s two-goal cushion, Matore making another howler when he allowed the winger’s speculative shot to sneak underneath him into the nets on the hour mark.
Dube put the game to bed eight minutes later with his second of the game, reacting quickly to fire home after Kutsanzira’s screamer had hit the upright.
With the win, Highlanders moved top with 13 points due to a better goal difference
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Their position on the log might not last beyond this evening though as FC Platinum might go on top with a win over Dynamos, but for these few hours at least, Elroy Akbay and his players can savour the view.
“We have to win every match we play because we are Highlanders,” said Akbay.
“I am happy Caps United lost so even if FC Platinum win, we will not be very far from the top, we will be second. Highlanders, just like Dynamos, Caps and Chicken Inn, is a big club and must play for nothing but fight for the championship.”
The home side had two chances early on with Tichaona Mabvura and captain Innocent Sokosi missing.
Bosso started in jittery fashion but when the home side switched off, they capitalised in ruthless fashion.
Matore was culpable for Bosso’s third goal while his defence let him down on the fourth, which killed off the match as a contest.
Ngezi were given a chance to reduce the arrears when they were awarded a penalty on 79th minute, but Sokosi fluffed the chance, scooping his shot over the bar. Teams: Ngezi — T Matore, K Murera, P Titus, K Machena, D Tavari, J Marufu, T Mabvura (D Kamunhenga, 74’), Z Mhanda (D Teguru, 63’), I Sokosi, J Nguluve (W Pakamisa, 29’), E Katema Highlanders — A Sibanda, R Kutsanzira, S Munawa (K Nadolo, 61′), K Mutizwa (R Matema, 80), B Kangwa A Silla, 71′), P Dube, T Ndlovu, F Chindungwe, H Moyo, E Mudzingwa, B Phiri Yesterday’s results at a glance: How Mine 2-1 CAPS United, Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-4 Highlanders, Harare City 0-1 Tsholotsho, ZPC Kariba 2-0 Mutare City Rovers Today’s fixtures: Border Strikers v Hwange (Maglas), Bulawayo City v Chapungu (Barbourfields), Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro)
