Yadah FC . . . . . . . .(1) 1 Ngezi Platinum . . . . (0) 0
TOPFLIGHT league newcomers Yadah FC’s fairytale start to the season continued after they handed log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars their first defeat of the season with a majestic defensive performance in front of a vocal home support at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Brian Chikwenya scored a brilliant freekick goal just 14 minutes into the match and for all their possession and dominance, the visitors could not find a way back, thus bringing to an end a run of three consecutive wins.
The PHD Ministries-owned side remains unbeaten in four matches into the season, with two wins and two draws while they are yet to concede a goal.
Yadah beat ZPC Kariba in their previous league match and coach Jairos Tapera was thrilled by the Ngezi victory.
“I am very happy my boys were excellent. I am also happy for my prophet [Walter Magaya]; he was not around but he is one guy who has been with us everyday trying to encourage the team to do well,” he said during a post-match interview.
“We knew how they were going to come at us and we only needed one goal to make sure we were going to win if we did not lose character,” he added.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Yadah were happy to employ a counter attacking display from the onset and needed a free kick to take an early lead.
Chikwenya gave Nelson Chadya no chance as his effort flew into the roof of the net.
Ngezi could have hit back a moment later but Liberty Chakoroma only found the side netting with a neat turn and shoot from inside the box, while Dominic Mukandi’s shot whistled past the post from the edge of the box.
A Chakoroma header was acrobatically tipped over by Tafadzwa Dube just before half time but the visitors had Chadya to thank as he made an all-important touch to deny Moses Demera on the stroke of halftime.
The Yadah defence was the toast of the second half, warding off wave after wave of Ngezi attack.
Denzel Savanhu could have doubled the lead for the hosts 20 minutes after coming face to face with the goalkeeper, but Chadya denied him.
“It was a very difficult match and we played very badly. We were not really in the game. Our opponents were playing a counter attack; they were defending very deep and we couldn’t find an answer to breach their defence,” Tonderai Ndiraya, the Ngezi Platinum Stars coach said after the match.
Teams
Yadah FC: T Dube. M Nyenye, B Chikwenya, J Dzingai, N Dongo, B Mapfumo, D Savanhu, J Sibanda (L Murape 70’), L Mavunga (W Kamudyariwa 59’), M Musiyakuvi, M Demera, A Makopa
Ngezi Platinum: N Chadya, N Ketala, K Murera, D Teguru, (C Augusto 51’), E Tapera (W Mukanga 54’), T Mchisa, L Chakoroma, D Mukandi, T Dzvukamanja, G Murwira (T Mabvura 67’), W Pakamisa
