NGEZI Platinum Stars captain Qadr Amini is confident his side will win their first-ever league championship this season after they cemented their position at the top of the log standings with a resounding victory over the weekend.
Madamburo steamrolled past Manica Diamonds on Saturday, with Amini scoring the first goal before providing an assist for the second, netted by Delic Murimba.
Bruno Mtigo was also on target in the 3-0 victory.
Ngezi are now a point clear of second-placed Highlanders on the log standings with 11 matches to go.
Ngezi Platinum coach Takesure Chiragwi continues to dismiss his team’s chances in the title race, but Amini feels his coach is just trying to keep the pressure off the players.
Amini is of the opinion that Madamburo’s title challenge should be taken seriously, particularly given the quality in the squad.
“I think we are in a very good position to win the title,” Amini said.
“We have to win it because we have been playing well and the team is showing great consistency, which is good. If we can maintain the consistency and the current form, then we can easily achieve our target as Ngezi Platinum Stars.”
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Ngezi, who travel to ZPC Kariba this weekend, are fighting on two fronts as they are still in the Chibuku Super Cup.
Amini, who is enjoying a fine season with the club this year, is the only player on the Ngezi Platinum Stars squad to have previously won the league title, back in 2009 when he lifted it with the now-defunct Gunners.
A teenager then, the now 33-year-old was the youngest in the memorable Gunners squad.
He feels his experience will make a difference.
“What is important as a team from now on going forward is to be united and pull in one direction,” he said. “Everytime we enter the field, we have to fight as one and if we can do that, we will be unstoppable.”
Amini has been impressed with the quality of the squad at Chiragwi's disposal, which he believes is good enough to see the team lift the championship.
“The quality is there and the most impressive thing is that the players are level-headed. They have shown a willingness to listen to the coach. As one of the seniors in the team, my job is to motivate the youngsters because I have been in this position before, and I know exactly what needs to be done.”
Amini is leading from the front in the team’s quest for silverware this term.
He leads the club’s scoring chats, having netted eight goals so far in the league.
He says he is putting in extra hours to perfect his setpieces, and is targeting to finish the season in double figures.
If he can achieve this, it would be a huge feat for a player who operates as a winger.
“I have worked hard and credit to the coach who is managing my workload well. I wish to maintain my performance until the season ends. My ambition is to win the league before I hang up my boots, possibly here at Ngezi Platinum Stars. My target is to score at least 15 goals this season because in 2017 I finished with eight goals, which was my highest. I need to surpass that,” Amini added.
Matchday 24 fixtures
Saturday: Green Fuel v Simba Stars (Green Fuel Arena), FC Platinum v Herentals (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Triangle (Luveve), Yadah v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab), ZPC Kariba (Nyamhunga), Sheasham v Cranborne (Bata)
Sunday: Black Rhinos v Manica Diamonds (Bata), Hwange v Highlanders (Colliery), Dynamos v Caps United (National Sports Stadium)
