adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum captain Leonard Musengezi has attributed their success to unity and good sponsorship after being officially crowned the 2015 Northern Region Division One soccer league champions on Saturday at Baobab. Despite a 2-0 defeat at the hands of DStv Rangers, it was party time for the platinum boys as they received their silverware when they were officially crowned the kings of their league at their home ground.
Ngezi had a successful season dominating the league from the opening games of the season and they won the title with six games to go before the end of the season after they took an assailable lead more than two weeks ago.
This was their second year in Division One and last year they were among the strong contenders for the title when they finished the season on fifth position. They also won the inaugural Yadah TV Knock-out Cup. Musengezi said unity of purpose and good sponsorship drove the team to a successful campaign that saw them becoming the first team from the country’s four regions to secure promotion into the Premiership.
“We are happy. As players we have achieved something for our personal records because you cannot say I used to play soccer when you do not have a medal.
“There was unity among the team and that made it possible for us to achieve the goal. If we were not united we would not have made it this far. And our sponsorship was also okay so it boosted our morale.
“The season was tough, each and every game was tough because some of the teams we were playing against, they always came on us, they were always targeting us so every game was a tough match.
“We didn’t get any game that we would say was easy and we still have tough matches in the remaining games,” said Musengezi. Although a win against DStv Rangers on Saturday would have made a perfect day for the champions as they celebrated their successful story, it proved to be an impossible task for them as the visitors grabbed a 2-0 victory.
DStv got their goals from Vialli Tadzoka in the 28th minute and Richard Hachiro in the 87th minute.
Ngezi Platinum assistant coach, Jonathan Maguraushe felt that there was a bit of complacency from their side but pointed out that it had nothing to do with them already having won the title.
“No it wasn’t like that but it was the approach of the players, they knew they have already won the championship so everyone was very impressed so I can say its complacency. I think we will go back to the drawing board for the next three games and we will start collecting points again. DStv Rangers coach Bigboy Mawiwi was pleased after collecting a full set of points against Ngezi to become the second team to beat the champions after Gunners.
Results
Ngezi Platinum 0, DStv Rangers 2; Blue Swallows 3, Karoi United 2; ZRP FC 2, Darwin United 1; Black Rhinos 2, Blue Jets 1; Mushowani Stars 1, Starbill 0; Cargo Carriers 0, DC Academy 1; Seven Flames 1, Lake Harvest 2; Herentals 2, ZRP Morris 1.
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