Triangle shock Ngezi Platinum
Triangle ................................(1) 1 Ngezi Platinum Stars ............... 0
TRIANGLE maintained their fine run at home when they shocked Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log leaders Ngezi Platinum at Gibbo yesterday.
A 12th minute strike from exciting Simba Makoni was all the hosts needed to collect maximum points.
An intended back pass from defender Dominic Mukandi to his goalkeeper saw Makoni intercepting the ball and raced towards goal.
With the hard working Ngezi Platinum captain Davison Tavari in hot pursuit, Makoni was quick to the ball dribbled past goalkeeper Nelson Chadya before slotting it into the empty nets.
Triangle coach Taurayi Mangwiro seems to have struck the right chord. Since taking over the job in the Lowveld after a false start, he has managed home victories over How Mine (2-0), Shabanie (3-1), ZPC Kariba (1-0) and now Ngezi Platinum.
Mangwiro only lost one match at home to Chicken Inn who registered a 1-0 victory.
Ngezi goalkeeper Nelson Chadya did well to keep the scoreline respectable yesterday when he blocked a scorcher from Dzingai Chirambamurivo for a corner in the 30th minute which the hosts failed to make use of. Ngezi’s defeat yesterday, however, did not matter much as Chicken Inn and Dynamos who clashed at Barbourfields failed to take advantage of the miners’ slip by playing out a goalless draw.
Ngezi did not play their normal football as they were jittery in the first half and they were always second to the ball.
They were a bit better in the second half but still they failed to convert the chances that came their way with Criss Mverechena outstanding in goals for the home side.
Ngezi play was affected with injuries to dribbling wizard Donald Teguru and Tatenda Mchisa after they were already a goal down and this forced coach Tonderayi Ndiraya to change his game plan.
Triangle’s goalkeepers coach Innocent Chogugudza was an elated man after the match.
“It was a good result for us. We badly needed the three points to increase our tally. I am happy that we played well and created a number of chances.
Ndiraya was a disappointed man after the match.
“It was a disappointing show from my players. We had a very poor first half and the reaction was very poor. I am not very happy with the way we played during the first half of the season besides being on top of the log.
RESULTS AT A GLANCE Yesterday: Chicken Inn 0, Dynamos 0; Black Rhinos 3, Tsholotsho 0; Hwange 0, ZPC Kariba 1; Triangle 1, Ngezi Platinum 0.
Saturday: FC Platinum 1, Chapungu 0; How Mine 2, Harare City 1; Yadah 0, Shabanie Mine 2; Bulawayo city 0, Bantu Rovers 0.
P Black Rhinos 16 Ngezi Platinum 17 Dynamos *15 Chicken Inn 16 FC Platinum 16 Highlanders 16 How Mine 16 ZPC Kariba 17 Triangle Utd 17 Shabanie Mine 17 Chapungu *16 Harare City 17 Bulawayo City 16 Yadah 17 Hwange 16 CAPS Utd 9 Bantu Rovers 17 Tsholotsho 17
W 9 9 9 9 7 8 8 8 5 5 5 4 5 4 3 3 2 0
D 4 4 3 2 8 4 4 3 7 6 6 6 3 4 5 4 3 6
L 3 4 3 5 1 4 4 6 5 6 5 7 8 9 8 2 12 11
F 21 25 22 15 14 17 13 19 15 13 10 11 16 14 10 14 18 8
A 7 15 12 7 7 13 11 16 17 14 11 10 20 22 20 9 37 25
Pts 31 31 30 29 29 28 28 27 22 21 21 18 18 16 14 13 9 6