admin
Tadious Manyepo and Langton Nyakwenda
NGEZI Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi believes the balance and depth in his team can help ring-fence the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship title in Mhondoro-Ngezi.
The defending champions are off the pace with league leaders Simba Bhora, who have picked 53 points, 12 points above the platinum miners after playing 26 games.
Chiragwi’s charges have, however, played two games fewer than the ambitious Shamva side.
This is because Ngezi fell behind on the fixture schedule owing to their participation in the CAF Champions League, albeit for a brief flirtation that just lasted the preliminary round last month.
With Simba Bhora looking relentlessly sound and threatening to run away with the title in only their second season in the top-flight, Ngezi Platinum have a mountain to climb if they are to keep up with them.
But Chiragwi, the reigning Coach of the Year, says his men have their batteries fully recharged and are eager to track down the pacesetters after a rough ride in their maiden dance with Africa’s big boys.
Ngezi are feeling encouraged after bursting into the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup for a record-extending fourth time since winning that tournament in 2016.
They eliminated CAPS United on penalties at Baobab last Saturday to effectively put themselves in good space to fight on two fronts.
Ngezi have the chance to make a statement this afternoon when they play Bulawayo Chiefs in the league at Luveve.
“We are fighting on two fronts, and we are enjoying it. That is the reason why we play football. I think the Chibuku Super Cup is close.
“We are closer to getting another dance in the African Safari.
“Mathematically we are still in with a chance to win the league title. We just need to do our best and concentrate,” said Chiragwi.
“We are not going to give up. We are working very hard to make sure that we collect maximum points as much as we can.
“What is important is how we manage the team in terms of recovery. I think we have got enough ammunition to take us through.
“We need to have the balance because we know we are going to travel. I think we have the depth to carry us through. It’s not going to be easy but we are certainly going to fight hard to try and defend the title.
“We face Bulawayo Chiefs in their den and the match will be very difficult. But we are going out there looking for nothing but a win. That’s the mentality we are carrying and the boys are well motivated to grind out results in the coming games”.
The matches are coming thick and fast but Ngezi will get to determine their destiny, especially with a much tougher assignment awaiting them on Saturday when Simba Bhora visits Baobab.
Their outstanding fixtures against Hwange and Dynamos are also pencilled for the coming few weeks.
“That’s not pressure, that’s what football is all about and we are ready to rumble on.
“We just need to manage ourselves as a team and look after our players’ recovery.
“We need to be very careful but play confidently as we go. We need to pick the points and if we manage to be consistent, we will stand a very big chance,” Chiragwi said.
While Ngezi are eyeing a league and cup double, Bulawayo Chiefs are fighting for their Premiership survival.
Chiefs are only three points away from the relegation zone, going into the business end of the season, but the Ninjas are not panicking at all. They are also out of the Chibuku Super Cup after they were knocked out by Ngezi Platinum Stars in the round of 16 a fortnight ago.
But their coach Thulani “Tuts” Sibanda is refusing to bury his head in the sand.
He believes Chiefs “will definitely” survive relegation at the end of the season.
It’s eight rounds before the conclusion of the season and Chiefs are on 29 points, three above TelOne who occupy the last relegation slot.
“We just have to keep believing in ourselves but I am sure we will play Premiership football next season,” Sibanda told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“The game against Ngezi Platinum Stars is not easy, they are the ones who knocked us out of the Chibuku Super Cup recently,” said Sibanda.
“But our boys have to quickly forget about the past and focus on the future.
“We have been psyching the boys to keep pushing.
“We need to be at our best if we are to beat Ngezi”.
Chiefs will have to be at their best indeed as they usually struggle against Ngezi.
They have one win in their nine league meetings against the champions.
But the 2022 Chibuku Super Cup winners have a knack for brewing surprises.
With Ngezi looking to get the full points at Luveve, Simba Bhora will be hoping to continue their title march when they host Chegutu Pirates at Wadzanayi on the same afternoon.
Simba Bhora have never lost a league match at Wadzanayi since the venue opened its doors to the Premiership early this year.
Only Herentals and TelOne managed to get draws at the Simba Bhora fortress.
But Chegutu Pirates are familiar with the Shamva venue and know how to win matches at this stadium having been the last team to get the maximum points when the two teams were still in Division One back in 2022.
Elsewhere CAPS United travel to the Colliery for a date against Rodwell Dhlakama’s Hwange who have their big battle with relegation.
A small but potentially explosive Harare derby is on the cards when Herentals and Yadah Stars lock horns at the Heart stadium.
Fixtures:
Today: Simba Bhora v Chegutu Pirates (Wadzanayi)
Telone v Bikita Minerals (Ascot), Bulawayo Chiefs v Ngezi Platinum (Luveve), Yadah v Herentals (Heart)
Hwange v CAPS United (Colliery), Highlanders v Arenel Movers (Barbourfields), GreenFuel v FC Platinum (GreenFuel), Manica Diamonds v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Postponed)
Online Reporter