adminBruce Chikuni in Mhondoro-Ngezi
NGEZI Platinum gaffer, Benjani Mwaruwari, was left to rue his troops’s failure to bury gilt-edged chances as settled for a 1-1 draw in this Castle Lager Premiership tie against Highlanders at Baobab yesterday.
Their recruit from the Ngezi Under-19 side, Leslie Kashitigu, headed home the opener in the eighth minute after meeting Denver Mukamba’s cross.
Five minutes to the break, Godfrey Makaruse restored parity, with a beauty, for Bosso.
The Undertaker’s troops had the lion’s share of possession in the first half but failed to punish their opponents.
Baltermar Brito’s Highlanders came from the break looking more determined to collect maximum points as they took charge of the remaining 45 minutes.
Benjani reiterated the need for his men to capitalise on the home advantage and take their chances.
“For us, it’s two points lost considering how we failed to convert chances but that’s the nature of the game,” he said.
“We really need to make full use of the home advantage, at home we should just collect maximum points at all costs.
“We had a better first half but when we came back from the break our opponents were in charge, especially in midfield.
“I’m happy the youngsters are slowly adapting, today we got a goal from a youngster and last week it was also the same thing, we really need to get our things in order, as soon as possible.”
Brito insisted a point on the road was important as he highlighted that some of his men were still trying to adapt to his methods.
“It’s work in progress, we came here to play our game and I could tell that some of the boys are still trying to figure out what we are asking from them.
“Our opponents gave us a good game, we came here knowing it was not going to be an easy match, and it went as expected,” said Brito.
He said the local game will not progress if the matches continue to be played on sub-standard pitches.
The game was screened live on ZTN Prime.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter