adminDon Makanyanga in Mhondoro Ngezi
Ngezi Platinum Stars……………..2
Mushowani Stars……………………1
NGEZI PLATINUM STARS coach, Erol Akbay, was left a relieved man after watching his side coming from a goal down to record their first win in seven matches since the departure of Tonderai Ndiraya in October last year.
Akbay, who has been tasked to win the league title and watched his reign as the Madamburo head coach starting off the rail with a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Triangle last week, said he was not feeling any pressure taking over from Ndiraya or being compared to his predecessor.
“Coaches come, coaches go, the same with players but for me it is exciting to win my first game at home because expectations from everyone were very high and I hope we will deliver what they want at the end of the season.
“It is still early into the season and we have only played two games, we will remain focused on our target,” said Akbay.
With Akbay feeling excited with the win, Mushowani Stars FC coach Newman Mashipe blamed his charges for failing to defend their lead in the second half.
“I feel our players did not come to the party like they did last week against Dynamos.
“The best way to defend is to attack and that is what we failed to do after taking that early lead. We started to defend deeply and that is what led to our downfall,” said Mushipe.
Ngezi Platinum Stars had to come from a goal behind, scoring in the 59th and 65th minutes respectively through James Nguluve and Donald Teguru after Crybert Muvuti had put the visitors upfront in the second minute.
In their first counter-raid of the afternoon, Mushowani Stars were awarded a free-kick just outside the box after Evans Katema was brought down on the run by Frank Makarati.
A seemingly harmless set piece from Muvuti gifted the Premiership new-boys with their first goal as the ball sailed into the nets through the hands of Nelson Chadya in goals for Ngezi Platinum Stars.
From there the Bindura based side seemed to be comfortable with the lead and started defending deeply in their own half.
Madamburo then finally found their rhythm on the quarter mark as they started making inroads into the solid Mushowani defence.
Ngezi’s pressure came close to paying off in the 17th minute when new boy Barnabus Mushunje saw his volley from just outside the box hitting the woodwork before Frank Makarati’s free-header missed the target with a few inches, 10 minutes later.
Sensing a second loss of the season in as many games, Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Akbay went for a gamble taking off defensive linkman Mushunje for an attack minded Tichaona Mabvura in the 54th minute.
The second half substitution paid dividends five minutes later as Mabvura broke loose on the left before unleashing a powerful strike which was parried into the way of James Nguluve.
Nguluve tapped in with ease to restore parity for the hosts.
Donald Teguru then put Ngezi Platinum Stars in front in the 65th minute with a powerful volley from close range.
Teams:
Ngezi Platinum Stars: N. Chadya, F. Makarati, P. Moyo, M. Mushonga, W. Makuva, B. Mtigo, B. Mushunje ( T. Mabvura 54’) , M. Charamba, X. Moyo, T. Mchisa (K. Bulaji 57’) , J. Nguluve.
Mushowani Stars: A. Masuku, C. Muvuti, S. Savare, M. Doley, C. Nyakope, W. Tafa, C. Dzingayi, B. Phiri, D. Kamanga (P. Chiramba), J. Tulani ( T. Mutandi 76’) , E. Katema.
Online Reporter