Finally Ngezi are kings
Simba Bhora……………….……...1 Ngezi Platinum Stars…………… (0) 2
THEY left it until very late and, in the process, kept their fans anxious and nervous at the same time.
However, Ngezi Platinum Stars finally made it to the Promised Land, as the Mhondoro-based side finally clinched the championship in front of their home fans, courtesy of a smash-and-grab win over stubborn Simba Bhora.
Kudzai Chigwida converted a penalty, before Takunda Benhura sealed the win with an 89th-minute strike.
Simba Bhora had taken the lead through Tinashe Balakasi in the first half.
The win took Ngezi Platinum Stars’ points tally to an unassailable 63.
And there were scenes of unbridled joy after Patrick Kalota blew the final whistle as fans streamed onto the pitch while singing and dancing.
The players tossed coach Takesure Chiragwi in the air while some soaked him with water.
The celebrations continued into the changing room, where Ngezi players also broke into song and dance.
Chiragwi was clearly the centre of attraction as everyone wanted a piece of him.
After the reality that he had just guided Ngezi Platinum Stars to their first-ever league title sank in, Chiragwi regained his composure and faced the media.
“The fans deserve to be happy; they have been there for us throughout the season, even when things were down,” said Chiragwi.
At 39, he is now probably the youngest coach to win the Premier Soccer League.
He will turn 40 on December 24.
“It’s good for young coaches to make an impact,” he said.
“Credit goes to the players; we had planned for this. We wanted the championship and today we have done it.
“We are happy, we need to enjoy the moment and also plan for the Champions League.”
Madamburo were 1-0 down for 65 minutes and their fans were getting increasingly restless until they were awarded a penalty after Simba Bhora keeper Simba Chinani fouled Benhura.
Chigwida sent the keeper the wrong way, but the referee ordered a retake because players had encroached into the box before the penalty was taken.
He then regained his composure and again sent Chinani the wrong way.
Ngezi Platinum Stars would still have won the league title because Manica Diamonds were held to a goalless draw by Cranborne Bullets at the National Sports Stadium.
However, Benhura popped up at the right time to ensure the title goes to Mhondoro.
Chiragwi paid tribute to Klifton Kadurira, who led the team from Division Two to the Premiership in 2016.
A number of coaches succeeded Kadurira but failed to win the title until yesterday, when the youthful Chiragwi earned his place in local
TAKESURE CHIRAGWI is just a young man idolising Kaizer Chiefs and Warriors star midfielder Tinashe “Father” Nengomasha.
Nengomasha has jumped through many hoops while growing up in Glen Norah to become one of the stars of the game in Southern Africa.
Just like many other budding footballers witnessing this remarkable story unfold firsthand, given that Nengomasha hails from the same neighbourhood, Chiragwi has developed keen interest in football.
He wants to carve his own niche and inspire others, especially in the same suburb — just like what Nengomasha is doing.
He is small in stature, but, as they say, dynamite comes in small packages.
The pint-sized youngster has the drive. Determination carries his dream. And, in no time, he is a CAPS United player. He makes a name for himself playing at leftback. Chiragwi is a reserved character but never shy of dishing out one or two instructions to his teammates.
He stands out in this regard.
And, as if it is a calling, the man — known to friends simply as“Deco”, after the legendary ex-Portuguese and Barcelona midfielder — decides to undergo coaching studies while he is still a player.
In no time, he is making headlines after transitioning into coaching.
He leads financially struggling Shabanie Mine FC, and, although the Zvishavane outfit eventually sinks, Chiragwi stays afloat.
Of course, he is still a rookie and cannot immediately find a new home.
He only crawls back after veteran gaffer Rodwell Dhlakama ropes him in as his assistant at Ngezi Platinum Stars in 2020.
Fate sees Dhlakama resigning from his post at the start of 2022 and Chiragwi takes over on a caretaker basis.
He does not stay long in that capacity, as the ambitious platinum miners bring Benjani Mwaruwari on board. The former Warriors captain comes with Nengomasha in tow as the team manager. But Chiragwi — a favourite of the Ngezi club executives — reverts to being an assistant. Mwaruwari, himself a rookie coach, however, does not stand the Premiership heat and gets the sack.
Strong bond football history.
“I want to pay tribute to Kadurira; he has done a lot for this team.
“He is my assistant now and we click a lot,” said Chiragwi.
Benhura is now the joint top goal scorer in
PARTY . . . Takesure Chiragwi (right) gets a hug from one of his team’s members in the Ngezi Platinum dressing room after his side’s moment of triumph at Baobab yesterday
He cannot sack Nengomasha for obvious Baobab Stadium on December 3. reasons. With positive results, including “If there is anything that I credit for this an 11-match unbeaten run towards the success story, then it should be the zeal end of the 2022 season, the ex-CAPS United amongst everyone. fullback gets the job on a substantive basis “About three-quarters of the players who and immediately recommends that Nengomasha, have carried us through are from our own the man he idolised, stays on as development side, and they were nurtured his subordinate. by the hand of our assistant coach, mudhara
“I can tell you that Nengomasha is someone Klifton Kadurira,”added Chiragwi. I grew looking up to. He was a big star “He is always ready to assist and his knowledge and influenced most of the youngsters in about those players helped us in a very
Glen Norah,” said Chiragwi. big way.
“He made us believe that with focus one “The respect he gives me is incredible and can attain his dreams. Having him in my we enjoy our relationship a lot.” dressing room is something that I cherish Nengomasha said having Chiragwi as a lot. He is one respectful guy who is eager his boss made for a harmonious working to listen. He is an easy-going mate; you will relationship at the club. never believe he played at the highest level. “Chiragwi is a cool coach who is ready to
“We have a strong bond and that has listen to advice. helped us achieve what we have achieved “We respect each other a lot,” said Nengomasha. together.”Ngezi yesterday clinched the Castle
Lager Premier Soccer League title after dismissing “He treats everyone in the dressing room Simba Bhora 2-1 at Baobab Stadium. equally and, as a result, everyone wants him
The game had an interesting subplot as to be successful.
Tonderai Ndiraya, himself Ngezi’s former “Everyone works knowing full well that coach, handed over the title to Chiragwi. they are appreciated in what they do.”
They can complete the double if they beat Apart from Nengomasha and Kadurira,
Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup final at whom he has stayed closer to and worked
the league with 12 goals, while Balakasi took his tally to 10.
The league title justified the massive investment put into Ngezi Platinum Stars by their parent club.
TEAMS
Simba Bhora: S. Chinani, V. Kawe (R. Chitiyo 85), T. Machope (A. Mandinyenya 85), A. Manenji, R. Kangadzi, I. Nyanhi, W. Tafa, T. Chipunza, P. Chigulupate, P. Jaure, T. Balakasi (V. Musarurwa 75) with during his tenure as interim coach at the club, Chiragwi also has a close associate in the technical crew — goalkeepers’trainer Claudias Gunduza. Gunduza was the goalkeepers’ coach when Chiragwi joined the now-defunct Northern Region Division One outfit Heartly in 2015 as a player.
The two used to get on very well back then. Strikingly, one of the youngest goalkeepers Gunduza was nurturing, while Chiragwi was also playing, was Nelson Chadya.
Yes, the Ngezi goalkeeper played in the same team with his boss Chiragwi back then. Chadya — one of the favourites for the Soccer Star of the Year accolade — was just 15 at the time.
“I was the goalkeepers’ coach at Heartly when coach Chiragwi joined as a player in 2015,” said Gunduza.
“He was one of the senior players and one could easily tell how good a leader he would become.
“As a goalkeepers’coach, one of the guys I had was Nelson Chadya. He was very young but very much willing to work.
“Chiragwi was still a player but imagine he would always have his arm around the young Chadya and always encouraged him.”
Ngezi Platinum Stars: N. Chadya, K. Chigwida, P. Moyo, M. Gaki (E. Meehan 46), T. Benhura, G. Madhake, F. Madhanaga, L. Kashitigu, N. Makumbe (B. Mtigo 46), Q. Amini (T. Mandinyenya 55), T. Murasiranwa (C. Mapoka 55)