Ngezi fine run ends. . . ZPC Kariba back to winning ways

Sports Reporter
Ngezi Platinum……………………………………………… 0
How Mine ……………………………………………… (1) 2
REIGNING coach of the month Tonderai Ndiraya’s amazing run at Ngezi Platinum Stars came to a crashing halt when his side suffered their first defeat in nine Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches at the Baobab yesterday. Ngezi Platinum Stars had not tasted defeat since 19 June when they lost 0-2 to Dynamos at Rufaro but yesterday they came up against a supercharged How Mine side. The victory pushed the visitors into sixth position.

Former Gunners and Dynamos left back Qadr Amini scored from the spot in the 36th minute after Ngezi defender Byron Madzokere had handled in a bid to clear.

Praise Tonha then killed the game as a contest in the last minute to secure How Mine’s second win on the bounce after last weekend’s 1-0 home win against Harare City. The visitors’ gaffer Kelvin Kaindu reckons “the second round anointing is at How Mine.”

“I do not have many words, we just thank God. We have now won two games in a row and the second round anointing is at How Mine,” said Kaindu. While Chikurupati moved to sixth, Ngezi Platinum Stars dropped a place to ninth.

Ngezi travel to Border Strikers next weekend while How Mine host Chapungu as the 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race hots up. Meanwhile, in Gweru veteran gaffer Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa was clearly a relieved man after ZPC Kariba ended an eight match winless run at Ascot yesterday. Dexter Phiri’s deflected shot in the 62nd minute was all the visitors needed to secure maximum points.

The first half did not produce much to talk about but the introduction of Talent Chawapiwa for the injured Tinei Chitora just before half-time swung the match in favour of ZPC Kariba. Chawapiwa provided a different dimension upfront as the visitors started playing purposeful football.

With the momentum on their side, Phiri went on a run on the left side and his intended cross deflected off Agrippa Peperere to fool Roy Mazingi the Chapungu goalie.

The goal, coming after over 630 minutes of trying and failing, brought the smile back on Chidzambwa’s face. “It’s a huge relief to win after so many games without a win. It is pleasing because we have been playing well but failing to get wins.

“It brings confidence to the players and I hope that we build from this,’’ said Chidzambwa. Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino blamed his team’s defeat on lack of concentration.

“We lacked anticipation at crucial moments. We had our own fair share of chances but we failed to capitalise. We should have won the match in the first half. But such is football, you are punished if you don’t utilise chances and fail to concentrate,’’ said Nyikadzino.