NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . (0) 1 SHABANIE . . . (0) 0
WINGBACK Qadr Amini scored the all-important goal as Ngezi Platinum ended a disappointing run of three matches without a win with a hard-fought victory over Shabanie at the Boabab Stadium yesterday.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
The Tonderai Ndiraya-coached platinum miners won their first three games of the season and then went another three games without a win.
However, the Mhondoro-based side remained in second place on the log standings, tied on points with log leaders, Highlanders.
Ndiraya was relieved to see his ambitious outfit finally bag maximum points in four attempts
“We are happy to take home the three points. It’s a big lift to our spirits because we have been having good outings but failing to get good result,” he said after the match.
It was never a stroll in the park against the stubborn Chinda Boys who are holding their own on their return to top flight football.
- 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
In fact, they fashioned the first real chance of the game.
Ngezi Platinum goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya kept the scores level going airborne to stop Farai Mupasiri’s curling free kick sailing into the top right hand corner minutes after kick-off.
The hosts had their initial sniff of goal halfway through the first half, but Terrence Dzvukamanja’s glancing header from inside the box was miles of target.
On the half-hour mark, Kelvin Bulaji rose majestically to meet Godknows Murwira’s swinging cross but the execution deserted him.
Nelson Mazivisa almost silenced the home faithfuls on the stroke of halftime but couldn’t direct Lloyd Nyamande’s corner into goal.
While the hosts utterly failed to open up the Shabanie defence in the first half, the introduction of Donald Teguru and Edgar Mhungu changed the complexion of the tie.
Dzvukamanja wished his foot was an inch longer eight minutes after the restart. He was a whisker short of substitute Donald Teguru’s cross despite making a desperate lunge in the six yard box.
The opener finally came with 19 minutes left on the clock.
Teguru went on the overlap and sent in an inviting cross which Qadr Amini volleyed home with aplomb from an angle inside the box.
Shabanie, who looked like they had only come to Mhondoro to defend a point, could not find a way back.
Coach Takesure Chiragwi was disappointed at the undeserved loss.
“It’s so disappointing losing the match, especially with the fighting spirit that we showed. We just lost concentration for one moment and we lost the match,” he said.
Teams:
Ngezi Platinum: T Mawaya, Q Amini, T Mabvura, T Dzvukamanja, W Mukanga, L Chakoroma( E Mhungu 63′) E Tapera, K Murera, T Mchisa, K Bulaji (D Teguru 49′)G Murwira
Shabanie: S Mafukidze, A Dzumbunu, W Mapfumo, L Nyamande, F Mupasiri(D Chivandure 63′), T Mavhunga, C Dhuwa, T Mupumha, N Maziwisa, N Mpofu, B Mtigo
