Ngezi Platinum…..(0) 0 Chapungu………..(0) 0
Relegation-haunted Chapungu earned a point to boost their survival chances and in turn dented Ngezi Platinum Stars’ title aspirations with a hard-fought goalless draw at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro-Ngezi yesterday.
BY GARISH PHIRI in MHONDORO-NGEZI
It was Ngezi Platinum’s first league match after the departure of coach Tonderai Ndiraya, who was fired at the beginning of the month. The platinum miners needed the three points to maintain pressure on log leaders FC Platinum.
The draw means that Ngezi Platinum now trail the defending champions by seven points with four matches remaining.
On the other hand, it was also a vital point for Chapungu who remained on 12th position as they bid to retain their place in the top-flight league next year.
Ngezi Platinum caretaker coach Clifton Kadurira refused to throw in the towel yet.
“It’s still game on. We need to play another four games, which is about 12 points. We don’t how they [FC Platinum] would play in their next games . For us, we are just playing each game as it comes,” Kadurira said.
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“As you saw, the boys have played very well. We created chances, but we couldn’t bury them. We will work on the chances we missed in the next game against Harare City.”
Chapungu coach Rodwell Dhlakama was delighted with his team’s determination and fighting spirit.
“For me, it was a game of two halves. The first belonged to them, they created numerous chances and they had better exchanges. In the second half, we came back a changed side as we also created chances. It was a vital point for us. we have to concentrate and try to win games at home, that will do us good. The guys are really fighting to stay in the league,” he said.
The home side started off on a high note, with Tichaona Mabvura’s cross finding Donald Teguru who blazed his shot over the bar.
Early in the second half, Chapungu had a chance to grab the lead with Ian Nyoni coming face-to-face with Donovan Bernard, but his shot hit the side netting.
Ngezi striker James Nguluve had a glorious opportunity on the hour-mark, with Talbert Shumba to beat, but the big Chapungu goalkeeper produced an outstanding save.
