Andrew
Don Makanyanga in MHONDORO-NGEZI
Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Black Rhinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
THE race for a top-four finish remained wide open as both Ngezi Platinum Stars and Black Rhinos could not be separated in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Hosts Ngezi extended their unbeaten run under caretaker coach Takesure Chiragwi to seven games.
The Mhondoro miners remained fourth on the log table with 48 points, while Rhinos are still eighth with 44 points. There are nine points still to play for either side.
Despite Ngezi being favourites to finish among the top four, Chiragwi prefers to focus on the team’s strengths and weaknesses.
“We still have three games to go and I am not worried about where we are going to finish the season at,” said Chiragwi.
The young coach, however, blamed his players for being wasteful in front of goal.
“We started the game very well and we got clear chances but we could not manage to convert them.”
Rhinos gaffer Stanford “Stix’’ Mtizwa has not lost hope of squeezing through to fourth place.
“I am happy with the point that we managed to get. For us, it is a point gained.
“If we keep up the momentum and same spirit, I think our chances of reaching the top are still very high,” said Mtizwa.
Ngezi had an opportunity to go ahead on the quarter-hour mark when Denver Mukamba saw his powerful goal-bound drive being punched out for a corner by Stanley Chakwana in goals for Rhinos.
This was the only notable contribution by the 2012 Soccer Star of the Year, who was returning to the Ngezi side after a four-match absence.
He was serving suspension for going AWOL ahead of their clash against Bulawayo City on September 10.
As action swung from both ends, the army side could have broken the deadlock five minutes later when Eli Ilunga charged down the right flank.
He turned defender Kudzai Chigwida inside, out, then found himself in a one-on-one situation with Nelson Chadya, only for the Rhinos striker to shoot directly into the hands of the Ngezi Platinum Stars goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, ZPC Kariba staged an electrifying second-half performance to come from behind and beat relegated WhaWha 2-1 at Ascot Stadium.
Goals from Kudzanai Dhemere and Vassilli Kawe secured maximum points for Kauya Katuruturu.
Striker Jayden Barake had opened the scoring for the home side in the first half.
The victory means ZPC Kariba remain 14th on the log standings with 35 points and just a point behind 13th-placed Cranborne Bullets.
ZPC Kariba coach Darlington Dodo praised his team for showing character in the second half.
“We need to control our own destiny, because if we leave it in other people’s hands, it will be very difficult.
“So, what we need to do is what we did today — get three points and we will be safe,’’ he said.
WhaWha coach Luke Petros Jukulile bemoaned his side’s lack of depth.
“In terms of depth, we are handicapped.
“We had two players in our midfield, who were suspended, and when one of our players got injured, we didn’t have cover.
“That is where we lost it,” Jukulile said.
Online Reporter