Ngezi Platinum in nervy victory
Ngezi Platinum ..........….(1)2 Harare City ….......………(0)1
NGEZI Platinum responded well to last weekend’s setback by edging Harare City at Baobab yesterday to ease back into second position on the Castle Lager Premiership table.
The Mhondoro-based side, who were stunned 0-1 by Shabanie Mine at Maglas, put all that behind them when they got a goal in either half through Qadr Amini and Tichaona Mabvura to maintain pressure on the leading pack.
The victory left Ngezi coach Tonderai Ndiraya purring.
He said there were no bad wins after his team momentarily lost concentration in the second half and were lucky to emerge with a victory.
Harare City goalkeeper Tatenda Munditi missed a penalty in the 79th minute when he drilled his spot kick wide of the mark.
The Sunshine Boys were awarded the spot kick by referee Norman Matemera after Malvin Gaki was hacked down in the box by Dominic Mukandi.
City then pulled one back in the 88th minute when Martin Vengesayi headed home off a free kick from Edwin Madhananga.
If only they had converted their spot kick.
Left back Amini found the opener in the 14th minute when he beat an exposed Munditi in the first half.
And three minutes after the breather, Ngezi got the insur- ance goal through Mabvura, who connected a delivery from Donald Teguru after Amini had fluffed the first attempt.
“I am quite happy that we have secured a victory after suffering a defeat in Zvishavane and that is what is needed when fighting with the big boys,’’ said Ndiraya.
“But I am not quite happy with the performance, the first half was okay, but in the second half, with a bit of luck, Harare City could have drawn the match.
“But what is important at this stage are three points, we are happy with the result, but not the performance . We wanted a win at all costs and they were under pressure from all stakeholders because no one expected a defeat in Zvishavane.’’
Harare City coach Philani Beefy Ncube was disappointed not to get a point after a fine second half show.
“I think in the second half we controlled the game, but we created less chances. If we had scored a penalty with 15 minutes to go, our chances would have been bright,” he said .
The coach said their ‘keeper is their best penalty taker, but the team’s leadership, with a bit hindsight, should not have let him take the spot kick considering that he had already conceded two goals and his performance was not up to scratch.
“Mentally, Ngezi were prepared to play and we were playing in phases, five minutes we are on and then we are out. We didn’t have a positive cohesion and in the first half Ngezi were winning the second balls.’’
Teams Ngezi Platinum: N. Chadya, M. Charamba, D. Mukandi, P. Jaure, L. Chakoroma, C. Augusto (J. Ngulube 88th min), G. Murwira, Q. Amini, K. Murera, T. Mabvura (W. Pakamisa 89th min), D. Teguru (K. Bulaji 80th min). Harare City: T. Munditi, T. Samanja, P. Tshuma, M. Gaki, P. Mpelele, M. Vengesai, E. Madhanhanga, J. Tigere (W. Ndiweni 88th min), R. Uchena, T. Tumba (T. Chimwemwe 64th min), T. Balakasi (G. Kufandada 53rd min)