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Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Reporter
Bulawayo Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 2
Ngezi Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 3
VISITING Ngezi Platinum Stars survived a late scare to overpower Bulawayo Chiefs in an evenly balanced Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Donald Teguru scored a brace for Ngezi in either half with the other goal coming from Barnabus Mushunje. Phelius Sibanda also struck twice for Bulawayo Chiefs in a late surge by the home side but Madamburo withheld that pressure to walk away with the precious three points.
Ngezi were rewarded for their relentless attack when Michael Charamba weaved his way past two defenders on the left flank and his miscued effort sailed over a diving David Bizabani and fell kindly on Teguru who had the easiest task to tap the ball into the back of the net.
Chiefs came into the second half a much rejuvenated side and looked as if they were taking the game from their much illustrious opponents but a long clearance from the back by Ngezi and a fatal slip by the home side’s last man Sikhumbulani Dube saw Teguru grabbing his brace in the 48th minute after lobbing the ball over an advancing Bizabani.
The home side tried to get back into the match but Arthur Musiyiwa fluffed a golden opportunity inside the box in the 54th minute from a neat pass by speedy forward Farau Matare.
In the 61st minute the visitors were three nil up against the run of play when Mushunje coolly controlled a pass from the middle of the park and with Chiefs defence in sixes and sevens he let loose a shot past an outdrawn Bizabani.
Chiefs managed to pull one back in the 72nd minute against the run of play when an overlapping Sibanda’s ferocious shot just inside the 18 yard box flew past a bemused Nelson Chadya in goals for the visitors.
Four minutes later Sibanda was at it again when his pile driver from 22 metres found the back of the net to set the stage for a pulsating end but Ngezi managed to hang on to eventually collect maximum points. — @DNsingo
derick.khumalo