Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . (0) 1
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . 0
The curse continues for FC Platinum. In a dramatic platinum miners derby at Baobab Stadium, their title hopes took another bruising hit as they fell to a heartbreaking defeat against their platinum cousins Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The agony arrived in the form of a late, late strike from substitute Takunda Benhura, sealing a staggering fourth consecutive loss for the once unbeatable former champions.
It’s a spectacular fall from grace for Norman Mapeza's men.
Not long ago, they were the league's dominant force, but their season has been unraveling at a shocking pace.
The rot set in with a morale sapping 5-2 defeat to title chasers Scottland in early August.
Since then, they have also stumbled against relegation threatened Triangle United and Caps United, a slide that has left their fans stunned and searching for answers.
- Manica Diamonds salvage point
- Ngezi Platinum back to winning ways
- Manica Diamonds salvage point
- Five-star Ngezi set early marker
Keep Reading
Yesterday’s match looked like it might finally be the one to stop the bleeding. The visitors created the better opportunities in the second half, with Jarison Selemani, Oscar Bhebhe and Nyasulu all coming agonizingly close to finding the net.
But their failure to convert came back to haunt them in the most painful way possible.
Benhura's smash-and-grab goal against the run of play was a dagger to the heart, snatching victory and all three points for Ngezi.
The defeat has all but ended FC Platinum's slim chances of snatching the title.
They have plummeted to sixth position with just 40 points, a colossal 14 points behind log leaders Simba Bhora.
With only seven games left, and a game in hand against Manica Diamonds, their hopes of winning the title is now a distant memory, replaced by the grim reality of a season in ruins.
For Ngezi Platinum Stars, it was a day of pure delight and continued resurgence. The platinum derby victory extended their unbeaten run to six matches, keeping their own faint title hopes flickering.
They remain in third place on the log with 46 points, closing the gap on the leaders to a more manageable eight points.
After a cagey first half, which saw both teams trading good chances, the second half belonged to Ngezi's resilience and their ability to punish their opponent's profligacy.
The win gives Takesure Chiragwi's side the ultimate bragging rights, after the reverse fixture at Mandava Stadium finished in a draw.
For FC Platinum, the search for a win and a way to stop the freefall continues.
