malvernmugadzikwa
Don Makanyanga in MHONDORO-NGEZI
Ngezi Platinum . . . . . . (2) 2
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
NGEZI PLATINUM STARS secured a top-four finish in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with a deserved 2-0 victory over Dynamos in a rearranged match played at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
With the two teams set to meet in the Chibuku Super Cup final at Rufaro Stadium in a fortnight, it was a confidence booster for the outgoing champions, while for Dynamos, the match came with lessons for the grand finale.
Goals from Talent Chamboko and Takunda Benhura in the first half were enough to give the hosts maximum points.
It was Ngezi Platinum Stars’ fourth win in six matches at Baobab against the Harare giants since 2017.
Ngezi Platinum Stars put up a dominant performance in the first-half, forcing Dynamos to play second fiddle.
They made their intentions known as early as the first minute when they forced a corner-kick from the first whistle. It was from the resultant set piece that Ngezi Platinum Stars claimed an early lead. Chamboko headed in a Never Tigere corner-kick in the second minute.
With a psychological advantage from the early goal, the hosts had to capitalise on their advantage as they piled pressure on the visitors.
Ngezi Platinum Stars were awarded a free-kick on the left flank, which saw Tigere hitting the woodwork from the resultant setpiece.
Playing second fiddle, Dynamos were forced to rely on counter-attacks and in the process creating few goal-scoring opportunities. Dynamos came close to restoring parity in the 25th minute when Emmanuel Paga beat his markers on the right flank before miscuing the ball in a one-on-one situation.
Ngezi Platinum Stars extended their lead six minutes before the break when Obriel Chirinda combined well with Gareth Madhake before setting up Benhura, who converted with ease from close range.
Dynamos were to return from the break a much improved side as they turned on the pressure on the hosts.
They asked numerous questions in the Ngezi Platinum half, but were let down by the final third.
With the match having been dubbed a dress rehearsal for the Chibuku Super Cup final, Ngezi Platinum Stars assistant coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva described the win as a confidence booster.
“We are happy with the result. Our target is to finish in a respectable position and specifically a top-three finish.
“We were concerned about today’s result more than anything else, but the win gives us confidence going into the Chibuku Super Cup final,” he said.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe felt his charges conceded soft goals and they will seek to rectify their mistakes in the build-up to the Chibuku Super Cup.
“We gave away two soft goals in the first half and we had told the guys not to concede in the first 15 minutes, but it was not to be.”
“We tried to make amends in the second half, but their defence was resolute. We now need to make some rectifications going into the Chibuku Super Cup final.”
Online Reporter