daniel chigunwe
Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
QADR Amini is putting as much time in practicing set pieces as he is taking normal training sessions.
And the outcome has been magnificent.
He has taken eight set pieces this term and converted five times. That’s a 65 percent conversion rate by the Ngezi Platinum Stars captain, who has netted two more goals from open play.
At the mature age of 33, the former Gunners man is reaching for the skies, leading from the front in the miners’ bid to win their maiden league title.
The Takesure Chiragwi’s charges are currently on top of the Premiership table with 45 points to their name, one point ahead of second-placed Highlanders after 22 matches.
Chiragwi, who has remained grounded despite his team’s top-notch performances in recent weeks, wants his players to consolidate their strengths going into the last third of the marathon.
And Amini has already started throwing extra work on perfecting his dead ball execution skills.
“I am always practicing this art. Before our official training sessions start, I am hitting the ball from a distance. I do that so often and I also remain after the sessions, doing the same thing,” said Amini. “During training, I am also taking those free kicks and penalties. I have never scored five goals from dead ball situations since I debuted in the Premiership over 13 years ago. “But it’s all coming out nicely, thanks to the technical team and my teammates who have always supported me.
“I have netted four free kicks against Bulawayo Chiefs, CAPS United and Green Fuel (twice) and a single penalty against Manica Diamonds in the league. I have also scored twice in open play”. Amini said the league is entering into its most delicate phase and the Mhondoro team ought to focus.
“This is the final third of the race that we are entering. It needs more than just focus and concentration. “The intensity of the games coming now will be different from what we have faced. Teams in the bottom half of the table need the points so are those in the top half.
“It’s now about meeting set targets and objectives. This is the most difficult stretch in the race. We have talked about it and we always talk about it with my teammates.
“We need to be meticulous in every situation if we are to remain competitive at this stage. The competition will be stiffer than before so we need to take care of every situation because at this level even the smallest thing can cost you the title or a spot in the top-four”.
Chiragwi, whose 3-5-2 formation has proved to be difficult for opponents, insists his players should not get carried away.
“This is a competition and being on top of the log at this point of the race means nothing. We are only a point above the team in second place (Highlanders). There is a need to stay grounded,” said Chiragwi. “Our aim is to have a team that can compete consistently. I am happy we have been showing that we can compete. But the race is still a long way to go so we need to put in the work with maximum concentration”. Ngezi Platinum Stars face ZPC Kariba in their next match at Nyamhunga on Saturday.
Fixtures
Saturday: GreenFuel v Simba Bhora (GreenFuel Arena), FC Platinum v Herentals (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Triangle (Luveve), Yadah v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab), ZPC Kariba v Ngezi Platinum (Nyamhunga), Sheasham v Cranborne Bullets (Bata)
Sunday: Black Rhinos v Manica Diamonds (Bata)
Dynamos v CAPS United (NSS), Hwange v Highlanders (Colliery)
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