Sundaymail Editor
Tadious Manyepo in Mhondoro-Ngezi
Ngezi Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
NGEZI PLATINUM STARS coach Benjani Mwaruwari believes his team is heading in the right direction after registering his fourth draw in his two-month reign following a tough contest against Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
The former Warriors skipper has been in charge for seven matches at the Mhondoro side, winning twice and losing once.
Yesterday’s game – beamed live on ZTN Prime – could have gone either way.
Manica Diamonds dominated the opening half while the hosts had their moments in the second stanza.
Mwaruwari and his Manica Diamonds counterpart Johanisi Nhumwa were satisfied with sharing the spoils.
“Manica Diamonds are one of the best teams in the league and if you look at where they are on the table, you can see how serious they are.
“We are still building a team and we are in the right direction,” Mwaruwari said.
“I am happy we managed to pick a point against a team that is doing so well in the league … We got our moments in the game but failed to convert the chances that came our way.”
Manica Diamonds should have taken the lead as early as the fifth minute after speedy forward Michael Tapera found himself face-to-face with Ngezi goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.
But somehow he went for power instead of precision and the in-form Chadya tipped the effort over for a corner.
Four minutes later, Tapera fluffed his lines after getting to the end of a through-ball from Liberty Chakoroma.
The visitors took the initiative and bombarded their hosts’ defensive third but still failed to find a breakthrough, with Nyasha Chintuli, Lloyd Katongomara and Takunda Jeffrey coming close.
Manica Diamonds were especially dominant in midfield, where Chakoroma, Jeffrey and Xolisani Moyo eclipsed Carlos Mavhurume, Bruno Mtigo and Wayne Makuva.
Mwaruwari seemed to have taken some time to realise his team’s shortcomings after the break, as he introduced Marvellous Mukumba and Anelka Chivandire.
The pair breathed some life into the home side and combined well towards the end of the game, engineering their team’s best chance, which should have won them the game.
Chivandire teed up teenage sensation Tinotenda Murasiranwa who, from a one-versus-one situation, failed to beat Manica Diamonds veteran goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo.
Nhumwa said his charges showed character against “one of the best teams in the league”.
Teams:
Ngezi Platinum
Nelson Chadya, Carlos Mavhurume, Polite Moyo, Ariel Makopa,Tinotenda Murasiranwa, Tapiwa Sibanda, Takunda Benhura (Anelka Chivandire 69 min)Wayne Makuva (Marvelous Mukumba 69min), Qadr Amini, Denver Mukamba, Bruno Mtigo
Manica Diamonds
Jorum Muchambo, Talent Chamboko, Liberty Chakoroma, Eriya Mafirenyika, Temba Ndlovu, Lawrence Masibera, Jeffrey Takunda, Michael Tapera, Xolisani Moyo, Nyasha Chintuli, Lloyd Katongomara (Lucky Vundla 62 min)
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter