Bulawayo City……….. (1) 1 Ngezi Platinum………….. 0
BY FORTUNE MBELE
NGEZI Platinum suffered yet another setback in their quest for a maiden Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title when they fell to struggling Bulawayo City at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
With log leaders FC Platinum beating Dynamos at Mandava, Ngezi Platinum are once again five points behind the Zvishavane-based side with five matches to the end of the season.
A Keith Murera own goal in the 11th minute proved costly for the inconsistent Ngezi Platinum, who were forced to go into defensive mode as Bulawayo City suddenly grew in confidence in the first half.
Ngezi remain on 60 points after their seventh league defeat, the sixth to the so-called small teams that have thrown spanners in the platinum miners’ campaign. Coach Tonderai Ndiraya, whose charges had moved within two points of their title rivals after the midweek matches, could not hide his frustration after the final whistle.
“It has been a very frustrating afternoon for us. We conceded a silly goal that we could have avoided. That goal took the steam out of us. I’m quite disappointed; we keep losing to small teams and we are back where we were before we beat CAPS United during the week,” Ndiraya said.
Ngezi went a gear up towards the end of the first half with Godknows Murwira and Donald Teguru creating some good chances with their dangerous crosses, but they found City’s defence impenetrable with goalkeeper Kelvin Nyoni in top form.
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The visitors’ best chance to salvage a point came in the 64th minute when Zephaniah Ngodzo cleared substitute Walter Mukanga’s effort off the goal line. Bulawayo City desperately needed the victory as another defeat yesterday could have condemned them to division one football and they responded in style to ensure coach Bekithemba Ndlovu got his first victory since taking over from Amini Soma-Phiri.
“We have been playing good football, but the results were not coming,” Ndlovu said.
“Today we were rewarded for our hard work. Hopefully going forward we will get more wins. We will fight until the last game. We are not throwing in the towel.” Teams: Bulawayo City: K Nyoni, T January (L Nyathi 75’), D Mhindirira (T Ndlovu 22’), C Samakweri, O Zibande (T Tavengwa 57’), Z Ngodzo, R Pavari, H Ncube, Z Sibanda, I Kutsanzira, C Ncube Ngezi Platinum Stars: N Chadya, J Nguluve, P Moyo, K Bulaji, T Chipunza (C Augusto 65’), K Murera, F Makarati, M Mushonga (W Mukanga 55’), D Teguru, T Mabvura (M Charamba 54’), G Murwira
