Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . (0) 2
TelOne . . . . . . .................... . (0) 1
Ngezi Platinum Stars dramatically clawed their way back into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race yesterday, securing a thrilling come-from-behind victory over fellow aspirants TelOne at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro Ngezi.
The match, a pulsating affair from start to finish, saw substitute Panashe Mutasa put TelOne ahead in the 75th minute with a superb volley from outside the box, seemingly clinching the win for the visitors after a period of sustained pressure.
But football, as it so often reminds us, is a game of fine margins and fleeting moments.
And in just one breathtaking minute, the entire narrative flipped.
The catalyst for Ngezi's resurrection arrived in the 85th minute, born from a moment of misfortune for TelOne.
A seemingly innocuous free-kick from young Nesbert Muzenda, only just on the pitch, was fumbled by goalkeeper Tapiwa Chilenga.
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Like a hawk to its prey, Kudzai Chigwida pounced, hammering home the equaliser from the rebound.
Baobab stadium, moments earlier hushed in disappointment, erupted.
Before the echoes of that first goal had even faded, the home supporters were on their feet again, disbelief morphing into unadulterated joy.
A quick exchange of passes inside the box, a flash of skill from Muzenda – the same youngster who had provided the free-kick – and the ball was in the back of the net.
Two goals. One minute. From despair to delirium.
The victory sent Ngezi Platinum leapfrogging TelOne into fifth place on the log with 38 points, now just five points adrift of log leaders Simba Bhora.
Ngezi Platinum coach Takesure Chiragwi, a picture of calm amidst the post-match euphoria, spoke of his team's indomitable spirit.
"It's always difficult playing TelOne, and they scored first, which made it even more difficult for us. But credit to the boys, they fought hard, and we managed to come back. I think we also used our home advantage well," he said.
Chiragwi reserved special praise for his substitutes, particularly Muzenda, whose late introduction proved to be a masterstroke.
"This kind of result will give confidence to the youngsters. After we conceded, we took out the captain (Qadr Amini) and also McDonald Makuwe and put youngsters Nesbert Muzenda and Tanaka Munemo. They went in with a lot of energy, and it helped us a lot. Muzenda is a set-piece specialist, and when he got in, he gets a free-kick... a very good free-kick which was fumbled by the goalkeeper, and we scored our equaliser. He is also a very skillful young man, and he used his skill in the box to score a brilliant goal."
It was a bold tactical gamble, replacing experienced leaders with youthful exuberance, and it paid off handsomely.
For TelOne and their ambitious coach Herbert Maruwa, the result was a bitter pill to swallow. Maruwa, who recently declared his team's intention to win the league title, was left to rue his side's late game management.
"It's one of the games maybe we did not come to the party at the crucial stage of the match," he admitted. "Our defending wasn't good in the end, but I need to appreciate the way the guys played overall. We just need to make sure we remain focused."
With 37 points and 11 matches remaining, TelOne's title dreams have taken a significant dent.
It was a cruel twist of fate for TelOne, who had largely dominated the second half and should have been out of sight.
Instead, they left Baobab Stadium with nothing, while Ngezi Platinum Stars marched on, their title dreams, once flickering, now burning brightly.
Teams
Ngezi Platinum Stars: D Musariranwa, K Chigwida, B Mushonganyika (A Karengesha, 46'), Q Amini (T Benhura, 62'), T Chamboko, L Kashitigu, G Chirwa, M Mukumba (T Munemo, 72'), B Katumba, T Mavhudzi, M Makuwe (N Muzenda, 80').
TelOne: T Chilenga, F Makarati, A Dzumbunu, T Jaravani, K Nyakudanga, P Govere, B Mtigo, M Chimedza (L Murape, 46'), N Makumbe (P Mutasa, 46'), T Macheke, W Navaya
