Ngezi keep shining
How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 Ngezi Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2 IT might still be a long way to go before the conclusion of the 2017 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race but Tonderai Ndiraya’s Ngezi Platinum Stars are exhibiting the character of potential champions.
Yesterday the Mhondoro-based side shot back to the top of the log after dispatching financially crippled How Mine at Luveve.
Warriors’ defender Partson Jaure connected a Godknows Murwira corner kick after nine minutes before man of the moment Terrence Dzukamanja sealed it in the 75th minute.
Kuda Musharu scored for the home side late on.
Ngezi are now on 40 points, a point ahead of Chicken Inn who drew 1-1 against FC Platinum at Mandava yesterday.
Ngezi have been ruthless of late and have scored 10 goals in their last three matches.
They beat Black Rhinos 4-2, Hwange 4-1 and yesterday they dismissed How Mine 2-1
The platinum miners are the league’s best scorers with 35 goals from 20 matches.
“We are taking it each game as it comes and are not worrying about what the log table is showing or not showing,” said the Ngezi coach.
“How Mine are a good side and coming to play their here was never going to be easy. Credit goes to the boys for a brilliant all round effort.”
Although Ndiraya, who is the favorite to land the Coach of the Month award for July, has remained grounded his team has been soaring.
However, the same cannot be said of How Mine whose in-house problems are threatening to derail what was promising to be a good season for the Kelvin Kaindu coached side.
How Mine players have reportedly not been paid their winning bonuses for some time now .
Chikurupati’s form has dipped and the gold miners are now on a three-game winless streak which has left them on fifth position and seven points adrift of log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars.
P Ngezi Platinum 20 Chicken Inn 20 Dynamos 18 FC Platinum 19 How Mine 20 Black Rhinos 19 Highlanders 18 ZPC Kariba 19 Triangle United 19 Chapungu 18 Bulawayo City 19 Harare City 19 Shabanie 20 Yadah FC 20 Hwange 18 Caps United 13 Bantu Rovers 19 Tsholotsho FC 20 W 12 12 11 9 9 9 9 8 6 6 7 5 5 5 4 3 2 0 D 4 3 3 9 6 4 4 5 7 6 3 6 7 6 5 5 3 8 L 4 5 4 1 5 6 5 6 6 6 9 8 8 9 9 5 14 12 F 35 21 25 19 18 23 20 19 18 13 21 13 13 15 15 18 18 9 A 18 9 15 9 15 15 15 16 19 13 22 14 19 22 24 18 39 30 GD 17 12 10 10 3 8 5 3 -1 0 -1 -1 -6 -7 -9 0 -21 -21 PTS 40 39 36 36 33 31 31 29 25 24 24 21 22 21 17 14 9 8