Ngezi lift Chibuku Cup
Warriors beat Chipolopolo
AN 86th minute bullet by outstanding Liberty Chakoroma livened up an otherwise poorly attended Chibuku Super Cup final at Baobab Stadium here yesterday.
Against all odds Ngezi Platinum, whose coach Tonderai Ndiraya did not put on sponsors’ regalia, scored two first half goals, mainly through the benevolence of the usually reliable goalkeeper Petros Mhari that all but condemned the highly fancied FC Platinum.
The Zvishavane-based outfit got their consolation goal from former Tsholotsho holding midfielder Gerald Takwara five minutes before the breather.
Chakoroma propelled Ngezi Platinum to the lead in the 10th minute with a hard and low shot from outside the box which Mhari, on a normal day could have easily dealt with. And yesterday was not a normal day.
Ndiraya’s boys went two-nil up in the 26th minute through Dynamos reject Kenneth Bulaji when he reacted quickly to a spill by Mhari. FC Platinum then realised that it was no child’s play as Ngezi were serious about it and started playing some tactful football as they searched for their opener and they were duly rewarded in the 40th minute through Gerald Takwara.
But the goal never seemed to worry the home side, who are now eyeing another magical journey into Africa just like Leicester of England who defied all odds last season. Ngezi are in their first season in the Premiership.
“We always wanted to play in Africa and I hope the management will allow us to realise our dream. We deserved this cup and I think we defended very well, I am so happy for myself, the boys, and indeed the community,” said Ngezi coach Ndiraya in his post match interview.
Simon Shoko could have levelled scores in the 42nd minute but he skied his effort from inside the box from a Marshall Mudehwe cross when everyone thought it was easier to score than miss. In fact he shot over the bar when he was almost under the bar.
The second half produced little action save for two minute substitutions with Ngezi pulling out Bulaji for James Nguluve in the 61st minute while Makai Kawashu came out for Brian Muzondiwa a minute later.
Nguluve was to be yellow carded in the 82nd minute by top of the situation referee Ruzive Ruzive after he tried to score with his hand as the home side threatened to overrun their more illustrious opponents.
“Focus now is on the league, we have to win the last two games at all cost,” said a clearly disappointed Norman Mapeza at the end of the match as it dawned on him that it could be yet other season without the coveted title.
FC Platinum take on Bosso at Mandava Stadium in their next league match. With FC Platinum looking for that elusive equaliser which could have taken the game into extra time, along came Chakoroma who released a scorcher from outside the box that deflated off a FC Platinum player before finding its way into the left side of Mhari.
The trophy was confirmed as Ngezi Platinum by then. The final was watched by the PSL Chairman Peter Dube, his predecessor Twine Phiri, chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele, Delta Beverages marketing executive Max Karombo, Bulawayo City chairman Jerry Sibanda and Caps United technical staff. Caps have a league match against Ngezi Platinum this weekend.
Teams Ngezi Platinum: Nelson Chadya, Tatenda Mchisa, Liberty Chakoroma, Partson Jaure, Kenneth Bulaji( James Nguluve 61st min), Terrence Dzvukamanja( Washington Pakamisa 83rd min), Nelson Ketala, Walter Mukanga, Edgar Tapera, Donald Teguru, Talent Chamboko, FC Platinum: Petros Mhari,Ian Nekati, Gift Bello, Elvis Moyo, Kevin Moyo,Nqobizitha Masuku, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Gerald Takwara, Marshal Mudehwe, Walter Musona, Brian Muzondiwa (Makai Kawashu 62nd min) Zimbabwe ................................................. (0) 1 Zambia ............................................................ 0 WARRIORS coach Kallisto Pasuwa has suggested that George Mbwando missed the point when he rushed to the media with his offer for help.
Pasuwa was speaking after watching the local ensemble of the Warriors dismiss Zambia in a friendly international at the National Sports Stadium thanks to a Teenage Hadebe second half goal.
Mbwando torched a storm when he poured his heart out in our sister paper, The Herald saying he wanted to help the Warriors’ Afcon 2017 cause by spying on opposition players plying their trade in Europe but his efforts were hitting a snag as he was failing to reach Pasuwa.
But contrary to the impression created by Mbwando, Pasuwa said he is open to advice from anyone provided it comes through the right channel adding he is what he is today because of the help he has gotten from fellow coaches and different many other people.
“If anybody wants to help please direct them to me, they are very welcome,” Pasuwa said after the match.
“Whether it’s fellow coaches or ordinary fans but surely I can’t get advice from fellow coaches through the media. It’s not true to say that I don’t want help, if anything I am what I am today because of the help that I have gotten from fellow coaches and several other people. Even during my time at Dynamos I would always get advice from others and this has really helped me a lot,” said Pasuwa.
The Warriors were using yesterday’s friendly to gauge local based players’ preparedness for international football as they prepare for the 2017 Afcon finals where they are in the group of death together with African football giants Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia.
The former Dynamos coach said he also takes time to watch his opponents’ players in action for their European clubs but noted this makes very little help as the systems they play for their clubs are different from the way they play for their countries.
“We watch their players play in Europe but that is not enough, the most important thing is to watch them playing for their national teams and get to understand the systems they use which is usually different from the way they do at their clubs. My hope is we will be able to send someone from the technical team to watch Senegal when they play South Africa next weekend,” said Pasuwa.
Pasuwa was also happy with what he saw from his men as they dominated the match before a paltry but appreciative crowd.
Triangle winger Malvern Gaki was the toast of the afternoon with his ball artistry that kept the Zambians on the back foot endearing him well with the crowd.
The Caps United duo of captain of the day, Hardlife Zvirekwi and Ronald Pfumbidzai also gave a good account of themselves with their brilliant overlapping runs which saw the Warriors engineering most of their attacks from the flanks. It was no coincidence that the goal that made the difference came from the flanks with Teenage Hadebe heading home a Zvirekwi free kick five minutes before the hour mark. The central defence of goal scorer Hadebe and Lawrence Mhlanga also did well covering for goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva who had very little to do before making way for Bernard Donovan in the 76th minute.
“Everybody who played today did well and has a chance of making the final Afcon squad, but we will sit down with the technical team and assess the match before making decisions,” said Pasuwa.