Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Ngezi Platinum 1-0 FC Platinum
TAKUNDA Benhura’s goal at the death ensured victory for Ngezi Platinum against FC Platinum at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
And in the end, Ngezi Platinum coach Takesure Chiragwi said he was impressed by the team’s fighting spirit while his opposite Norman Mapeza said it was painful considering missed chances during the game.
“It’s disappointing,” said Mapeza.
“It’s a game of football and we have to keep fighting.
“Apart from that last minute mishap, the boys played well.
“With a bit of luck, we could have scored a goal, especially in the second half.”
While Ngezi Platinum, on 46 points, have recovered in the title race, the same cannot be said of FC Platinum, stuck on 40 points, but with a game in hand.
Mapeza’s charges have lost four games in a row, losing much ground in the process.
“It’s part of the game and no one is going to bring that luck for us… We have to keep on believing and we have to work.”
With log leaders Simba dropping two points and Scottland three, there is hope.
“We are not concentrating much on what’s happening with the teams above us… “Because if we are going to concentrate on them, we are going to lose the plot.
“We have to forget about MWOS, Simba and Scottland… We are have to run our own race.”
On the Manica Diamonds game in hand, he said: “We cannot count that game until it’s played. We have to go there, face Manica Diamonds and fight…”
Ngezi Platinum have taken full advantage of the situation at the top half.
“What’s important is that we are now getting the results… We have changed the way we are playing,” said Chiragwi.
“We are closing the curtain and any slip up means we are going down … So, we have to fight as a team, we need that fighting spirit to get results.
“Football being football, anything can happen and we have to have that spirit to fight as a team.”
Asked on title chances, he said: “We want to make sure we finish the season in a respectable position…
“We are the team that won the championship, so we know what it takes, especially at this stage.”
Benhura’s late goal could go on to be “gold” by end of the season.
“I will attribute that to the players… their resilience and their fighting spirit was crucial for us. We created a lot of chances, but we could not put the ball to the back of the net,” he said.
