Andrew
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 3
Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
BENJANI MWARUWARI had a bad day in office as his Ngezi Platinum Stars suffered a loss that put another dent on the former Manchester City striker’s tenure at the Mhondoro side.
Two goals from the Majarira brothers – Brighton and Blessing – inside the opening 20 minutes and a screamer in the 82nd by substitute Davison Marowa condemned Ngezi to their third loss under Mwaruwari.
Yesterday’s match was the ex-Zimbabwe captain’s 11th in charge since taking over from Rodwell Dhlakama.
He has three wins, five draws and three losses, translating to a 42 percent success rate.
“It’s disappointing as you can see,” said the 43-year-old Mwaruwari.
“Five draws, maybe if we had picked some wins in those games it would have been better.
“It’s a learning process; it will be about what we do at the training ground.”
It was also the first time Ngezi conceded three goals under his guidance.
Herentals raced onto an early lead after they were awarded a penalty by referee Pedzisai Chadya in the third minute when Tafadzwa Jimu was fouled.
Brighton Majarira stepped up and coolly slotted the ball beyond the reach of Nelson Chadya.
It was a deserved lead for Herentals, who forced two corners inside the opening three minutes of the contest.
The Students increased their lead in the 20th minute through the elder Majarira, Blessing. He raced onto a through ball and outpaced Ngezi defender Marlvin Kwinjo before placing the ball into the far bottom corner.
And Mwaruwari thought those two early goals did the damage.
“Normally, when you are playing away and you concede early it becomes difficult.
“When we tried to come back they scored another one,’’ he said.
One of the miners’ chances came in the 26th minute when Herentals right-back Wilmore Chimbetu was forced to scramble the ball from the line.
The visitors were forced to make a change inside the first half when an injured Kwinjo was replaced by Wayne Makuva after 44 minutes. Ngezi also missed the services of industrious defensive midfielder Marvelous Mukumba, who was serving suspension.
However, youthful Leslie Kashitigu, who was plucked from their Under-19 side, did show some promise.
Last weekend Ngezi drew 1-1 against Highlanders at Baobab Stadium in a game Mwaruwari felt was a case of two points lost than a point gained.
Yesterday, they left Harare empty-handed.
Ngezi remain on 29 points.
It was the third time Ngezi were playing Herentals in a league match in Harare since The Students’ promotion in 2018.
They have failed to beat Herentals on all their visits to the capital.
Herentals moved to 30 points, as they bounced back from the 2-1 defeat they suffered at the hands of Black Rhinos, which ended their unbeaten run that had stretched six games.
“It was a good game. At the end of the day, what’s important is getting three points,’’ said Herentals gaffer Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva.
“This is very important for the team and it was a good recovery after losing to Black Rhinos.
“Ngezi are a big team, they have been doing well of late but we have managed to get three points.
“The fighting spirit was good; we had the hunger to collect three points,’’ he said.
TEAMS:
Herentals: T. Chikosi, B. Majarira, B. Majarira (E. Mhungu 90+2), W. Chimbetu, P. Chama, I. Benza (D. Marowa 46th), W. Kapumha, C. Gobvu (A. Mataranyika 70th), T. Jimu (A. Maliselo 84th), Z. Ruguchu, G. Mukambi
Ngezi Platinum Stars: N. Chadya, L. Jesi, P. Moyo, A. Makopa, Anelka Chivandire (J. Zindoga 52nd), M. Kwinjo (W. Makuva 44th), K. Chigwida, B. Mtigo (W. Vuwa 66th), L. Kashitigu, D. Mukamba, D. Murimba (T. Murasiranwa 52nd)
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu