Online Reporter
Ngezi Platinum Stars………….. (1) 1
CAPS United…………………………..0
Lloyd Mwale in NGEZI
TAKESURE Chiragwi, the man CAPS United wanted to replace Lloyd Chitembwe, had the last laugh yesterday when he guided Ngezi Platinum Stars to a narrow victory at Baobab.
Chiragwi appeared to be on his way to the Green Machine until the move collapsed at the last minute.
Yesterday, he met Makepekepe for the first time since that episode when the Harare side tried, and failed, to get him.
There were no last-minute heroics for CAPS United this time around as Ngezi took all three points in this Castle Lager Premiership game.
The Green Machine needed a very late goal from Ishmael Wadi to salvage a point against a plucky Triangle in their last match at Rufaro.
Then, in their next match, Triangle hosted Ngezi and got a late goal to force a share of the points in a 1-1 draw.
However, at Baobab yesterday, there was no drama of the late goals and the hosts settled the contest as early as the seventh minute when McDonald Makuwe headed them into the lead.
CAPS United have been showing signs that they can fight back since Ian Bakala took over as coach.
They did put in a fight and thought they had equalised through their Zambian import, Chinga Chitoshi, only for the nearside assistant referee Claris Simango to rule out his effort for offside.
In the 42nd min Junior Bunjira, back in the team after some time on the sidelines, had a chance to get the equaliser.
However, his effort sailed over the crossbar.
With both teams failing to bury the chances which came their way, it meant that Makuwe’s goal remained the decisive moment of the game.
In the 70th minute, the hosts could have doubled their lead after Chamboko met a cross from Tinashe Mavhudzi but the CAPS United goalkeeper produced a good save.
The next assignment for the Green Machine is a home tie against Highlanders.
Bakala would have loved to go into the match with confidence oozing among his men had they got, at least, a point in this game.
