tawandamusarurwa
Tadious Manyepo in ZVISHAVANE
Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
NGEZI Platinum Stars missed a golden opportunity to shoot to the top of the log, at least for a day, following their defeat to Herentals at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
The Mhondoro miners were primed to pin down the Students and dislodge leaders Bosso from the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log standings.
But goals in each half by Tafadzwa Jim and Tino Benza condemned them to an agonising defeat in an exciting match.
Takunda Benhura scored the consolation goal for the miners.
While Takesure Chiragwi’s team had a chance to move to the summit, they found themselves dropping to third place on goal difference after Manica Diamonds beat Green Fuel 2-0 at Gibbo.
The defeat also spoiled the party for Chiragwi and veteran wing-back Qadr Amini, who were voted coach of the month and player of the month for August, respectively, on Friday.
It was a match that Herentals desperately wanted to win. Coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva’s Students moved a place up the ladder to sixth after taking their tally to 32 points in 21 games.
They are now nine points behind pacesetters Bosso. It was a match worth watching, with the teams exchanging blows in impressive fashion.
Although Ngezi had a sniff at goal earlier on, Bruno Mtigo drawing a reflexive save from Nevermind Antonio, the Students were the ones who showed more attacking conviction.
Just a minute after testing Nelson Chadya from close range, man-of-the-match Davison Marowa slalomed past Polite Moyo before unleashing an inch-perfect cross that was headed in by Jim, six minutes before the hour mark.
The latter took his goal tally to five, although he had good chances to stretch it further late in the match.
As soon as Herentals took the lead, Ngezi started pressing hard in search of an equaliser. With Herentals sitting back, the miners breached their zonal marking, as Mtigo’s header off a cross from Malvin Gaki cannoned off the upright.
Benhura then bundled the rebound home in the 38th minute.
The second half started in similar fashion to the way the first had ended, with Ngezi employing a high-press game but found Herentals unyielding. Herentals then took the game to their opponents, capitalising on the miners’ shaky midfield, where Marvellous Mukumba was always giving away possession.
Then came Benza’s moment of brilliance in the 63rd minute. Marowa, who was virtually unplayable the whole afternoon, made a sublime run and was fouled just outside the penalty box. Benza stepped up and curled a stinging shot past a diving Chadya to restore his team’s lead and effectively seal their win.
The young Benza, whose father and fellow striker Innocent recently won a parliamentary seat in Mutasa Central, could have recorded three assists had Jim and Maruwa done justice to his perfect passes. Innocent Benza was an unused substitute in yesterday’s game.
Mutiwekuziva was an elated man after the match.
“The idea was about suffocating them of possession and score first,” Mutiwekuziva said. “We did that, although we allowed them to come back onto it towards the break. But I am happy with the overall performance of my boys. I am really impressed.”
Chiragwi knows the impact of dropped points on their title chase and was naturally disappointed by the result.
“I am disappointed with the result but not the performance. We played very well as a team. We failed to utilise our chances, while they were able to finish their own opportunities. I think that is where we lost it,” Chiragwi said.
Teams:
Herentals: Nevermind Antonio, Christian Nyatondo, Gibson Chinobva, Stanely Murove (Godfrey Mukambi 83rd min), Davison Marowa (Joseph Chitavira 90th min), Tinotenda Benza (Blessing Majarira 83rd min), William Kapumha, Prince Chama (Ali Maliselo 90th min), Blessing Phiri, Zibusiso Ruguchu, Tafadzwa Jim (Brighton Majarira 68th min)
Ngezi Platinum Stars: Nelson Chadya, Kudzai Chigwida, Marvellous Mukumba (Valentine Kadonzvo 81st min), Malvin Gaki (Delic Murimba 70th min), Takunda Benhura, Polite Moyo, Leslie Kashitigu, Farai Madhanaga, Bruno Mtigo (Walter Vuwa 70th min, Qadr Amini, Tapiwa Mandinyenya (Elsson Mweha 70th min)
Online Reporter