HOW MINE… (0) 1 NGEZI PLATINUM… (1) 2
A goal in each half by visiting Ngezi Platinum Stars against How Mine at Luveve Stadium yesterday kept their championships hopes alive as they reclaimed top position in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log-standings.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
Skipper Partson Jaure ghosted on the far post in the ninth minute to get to the end of a free kick by Tichaona Mabvura from the right to give Ngezi Platinum the opener.
The visitors continued prodding How Mine in the first half and saw a penalty appeal being shot down in the 13th minute after Mabvura appeared to have been hacked down by central defender Makundika Sakala inside the box.
How Mine goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya came to the gold miners’ rescue again 10 minutes before the break, safely collecting a Mabvura effort from the edge of the box.
How Mine returned after the breather a revamped side after the introduction of Tsepo Ranthokoane and Peter Moyo but they could not get the goals.
They were once again punished by Terrence Dzvukamanja in the 76th minute, squeezing his effort past Diya after he was sent through by substitute James Nguluve who had received a throw-in on the left.
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Dzvukamanja, who scored his seventh goal of the season yesterday, his fourth in the second half of the season in three matches, could have increased his tally in the 80th minute but missed a sitter inside the penalty box from a build-up that involved the impressive Mabvura and Mukanga.
A minute into optional time, How Mine’s Kudakwashe Musharu got the gold miners’ facesaver when he blasted the ball into the nets after a Moyo cross from the left was punched away on his path by Ngezi Platinum shot-stopper Nelson Chadya.
Despite going atop once again with 40 points, Ngezi Platinum coach Tonderai Ndiraya says he is not talking about winning the championship yet.
“We don’t want to talk about the championship. We want to keep our consistency and keep winning and collect as many points as we can and see what happens. If we continue like this then maybe we will be forced to change our targets as the season progresses,” Ndiraya said.
How Mine are yet to collect maximum points in the second round of the season, with two draws and a defeat. Coach Kelvin Kaindu implied there are problems, although he would not be drawn to comment.
“I give credit to the team. We have been playing according to plan but we have been going through a difficult patch whereby even our training programmes are being disturbed. We thought we could not even last 90 minutes,” Kaindu said.
Teams
How Mine: M Diya, P Tonha, B Mbiriri (N Ndlovu 74’), M Sakala, F Makarati, M Mukumba (T Ranthokoane 52’), T Banda, P Manhanga, K Musharu, M Ncube, T January (P Moyo 53’)
Ngezi Platinum: N Chadya, W Mukanga (X Moyo 86’), T Dzvukamanja, P Jaure, L Chakoroma, C Augusto (J Nguluve 58’), G Murwira, K Murera, T Mabvura (D Mukandi 87’), E Tapera, Q Amini
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results and fixtures at a glance
Yesterday: Bulawayo City 3-0 Shabanie Mine, Yadah FC 0-0 Tsholotsho, How Mine 1-2 Ngezi Platinum Stars, FC Platinum 1-1 Chicken Inn, Black Rhinos 0-1 Dynamos
Today: Highlanders v Harare City (Barbourfields), CAPS United v ZPC Kariba (National Sports Stadium)
