admin
Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
FOR the second season running Ngezi Platinum Stars have failed to win their opening game. They risk dropping the points in the second too, just like in the last marathon, but coach Takesure Chiragwi isn’t entertaining those thoughts.
The defending champions failed to register a single win in their first four games, registering draws in each of those ties, before they collected themselves to eventually win the Premiership title.
They have already drawn their opener, a goalless deadlock against new bots Arenel Movers, last week despite dominating the key phases of that match.
But they face a much bigger test when they host platinum rivals FC Platinum at Baobab tomorrow.
That FC Platinum managed to collect the maximum points in the battle of their own against yet another league newcomers Chegutu Pirates naturally throws more pressure on the home side.
But then Ngezi Platinum thoroughly dominated the Zvishavane team in the corresponding fixture last season which finished 2-0 in favour of Madamburo.
And Chiragwi is hoping to see his charges who have already bagged the Castle Challenge Cup this year throwing in the heavy punches against the former champions.
“I am hoping to see an improved performance from my charges compared to the one they put together last week against Arenel Movers,” said Chiragwi.
“That match was tough and like I said, Arenel implemented their game plan very well. We managed to identify some areas which we have been working to address throughout the week.
“We are taking each game as it comes and we need to play very well against FC Platinum. They are a good team and they have started their season very well. We are looking to redeem ourselves in front of our fans.
“We have been telling the boys to focus and retain maximum concentration in the game. We know this is a very big match involving good teams so we need to throw the right punches in the ring to be able to do well.”
Defender Kudzai Chigwida, who gave a solid display in Ngezi Platinum’s draw against Arenel last week said the players need to do more against FC Platinum.
“Well, I feel like there was a bit of complacency on our part when we played against Arenel because we seemed to do everything else well but ought to lose it in the final third.
“We fashioned good chances which we failed to convert but that is the nature of football. We have been working on all our weaknesses during the week,” said Chigwida.
“Hopefully we will be able to perfect our act going into the match against FC Platinum. We know FC Platinum are never pushovers, they are a very good team and we should pull the strings well to be able to get a result against them.
“Last season we failed to win any of our opening games and it was disappointing and we need to change the script this time around. We are ready for FC Platinum. We will be at home and that should give us the wings to fly.”
Online Reporter