BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Ngezi Platinum Stars ………………(0)1 Manica Diamonds……….:………….(0) 0
FORMER Warriors wing back Qadr Amini’s brilliant late strike ensured hosts Ngezi Platinum Star grabbed maximum against a stubborn Manica Diamonds at the Baobab Stadium yesterday.
The win helped the Mhondoro–Ngezi side move four places up the ladder into fourth place as the league season draws to a close.
Now on 42 points from 29 matches, Ngezi trail log leaders CAPS United by nine points but the latter have a game in hand.
Ngezi had failed to break the Manica Diamonds’ defence for the better part of the match until Amini, from a difficult angle won it for them 10 minutes before the end of the match.
The Rodwell Dhlakama coached side bounced back from a midweek defeat to champions FC Platinum in Zvishavane
Dhlakama expressed worry at his charges’ extravagance in front of goal, which has cost the club points in the past.
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“We had to grind a result after the loss against FC Platinum and I am happy we managed to do that but again the problem remains worrisome. We should have finished the game in the first half,” said Dhlakama.
The match kicked off to a blistering tempo as action swung from one end to the other.
It was Amini, who had the first sniff of goal for the hosts before Partson Jaure had his effort saved by Nelson Chadya moments later.
Ngezi Platinum Stars had a goal flagged off-side early in the second half, Frank Makarati had poking the rebound after Tafadzwa Dube fumbled a dangerous Amini free-kick.
The Gems boys never posed any real threat to the hosts in the second half.
Manica Diamonds coach Johannes Nhumwa blamed his charges for missing several scoring opportunities.
“We lost but we missed chances. We were supposed to utilize those chances, simple,” he said.
At the National Sports Stadium Herentals recorded their 16th draw of the season after playing out a goalless stalemate with Harare City.
Teams:
Ngezi Platinum Stars N. Chadya, F. Makarati, G. Takwara, P. Moyo, F. Makarati,A. Makopa, M. Mlilo (B. Mushunje 76 min) N. Kerala,E Feremba, T. Mabvura
Manica Diamonds: T. Dube, L. Masibera, P. Jaure, C. Muzambwa, P. Makaha , T. Jeffrey, R. Mufudza, K. Gurure, B. Marere, S. Ngala
