Ngezi bounce back

Don Makanyanga in Mhondoro-Ngezi Ngezi Platinum Stars...................... (1) 3 Herentals ........................................0

AFTER failing to win the Chibuku Super Cup for a second successive time, Ngezi Platinum Stars quickly put behind their disappointment to revive their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign when they put Herentals to the sword at Baobab Stadium yesterday.

A goal by Nyasha Chintuli in the first half and two second half goals from Bruno Mtigo and Anelka Chivandire ensured the Mhondoro platinum miners shot to the summit of the Premiership log table.

On a weekend when the bulk of the Premiership games were called off due to a spike in Covid-19 cases at the clubs, yesterday’s match at Baobab was the only fixture out of the scheduled nine which was not affected.

Chintuli scored his fourth goal of the season five minutes into the game after he tapped in a Qadr Amini cross from the left flank.

Despite suffering an early setback, Herentals were not deterred and came close to levelling matters two minutes later when Tinotenda Benza broke loose on a counter raid but failed to beat Nelson Chadya from a one on one situation.

As action swung from one end to the other in the opening 15 minutes, Ngezi seized control of the game.

Chintuli could have grabbed his second of the afternoon on the half-hour mark when he broke loose on the right flank but failed to beat Frank Kuchineyi in goals for Herentals.

The Herentals goalkeeper was again called into action two minutes later when Wellington Taderera flighted in a cross which found Nigel Makumbe, who, however, failed to beat Kuchineyi in another one on one situation.

Makumbe was starting for the first time this season.

He was thrust into the first X1 to replace star midfielder Denver Mukamba who tested positive for Covid-19 late last week.

There was to be no goal though for Makumbe as he saw another of his many efforts crashing against the cross bar seven minutes before the break.

Having played second fiddle for the better part of the first half, Herentals returned from the break a better side and came close to securing an equaliser 10 minutes into the second half when Clemence Zimhondi found space on the right and charged towards goal, only to be denied by the brilliance of Chadya.

Chibuku Golden Boot award winner Mtigo increased Ngezi’s lead in the 58th minute when he capitalised on a deflection by the Herentals defence, unleashing a powerful shot from close range.

Ngezi substitute Chivandire then dampened any hopes of a come-back which the Students might have had when he grabbed the third goal, heading home a Valentine Kadonzvo corner 15 minutes from time.

Ngezi coach Rodwell Dhlakama, who was distraught after last week’s Chibuku Super Cup penalty shootout defeat by FC Platinum, praised his charges for their character.

“A massive response from the guys especially against the background of the Chibuku Super Cup defeat last week.

“The defeat drained us physically and emotionally and I am happy with how the guys played today.

“We created so many scoring chances which we failed to convert but again it is good that we collected maximum points,’’ said Dhlakama.

Herentals gaffer Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva felt their long spell of inactivity had affected his players.

“It is a painful defeat for the team and I can attribute the loss to us being inactive last week.

“It was visible that they (Ngezi) were ahead of us in terms of the physical aspects and they were also clinical in front of goal yet we failed to convert chances that came our way,’’ he said.

Teams:

Ngezi Platinum Stars: N. Chadya, N. Chintuli, K. Chigwida, K. Murera, M Mukumba, P. Moyo, B. Mtigo, M. Mushonga (A. Chivandire 46min), Q. Amini (W. Makuva 76 min), W. Taderera (M Makuwe 59 min), N. Makumbe.

Herentals: F Kuchineyi, K. Bingala (D. Chimwemwe 63min), Z. Rugucho, W. Chimbetu, T. Benza, G Chinobva, C. Zimhondi, W Kaphumha, I. Benza (B. Majarira 63 min), T. Jimu (A. Mataranyika 46min), B. Majarira,