The Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe)

Benjani questions referees’ standards

- Tadious Manyepo in MUTARE

Black Rhinos...................................... (0) 1 Ngezi Platinum.................................. (0) 1

NGEZI Platinum Stars coach Benjani Mwaruwari is concerned about the standards of officiatin­g after his team once again dropped points in this stalemate at Sakubva Stadium yesterday.

Eli Ilunga fired Black Rhinos into the lead from the penalty spot in the second half after Kudzai Chigwida handled inside the box.

Ariel Makopa then equalised late in the game to force a share of the spoils.

Some critics already questionin­g whether the former Warriors skipper is the ideal man to lead the Mhondoro side.

He has won a single match against ZPC Kariba in his first five matches in charge of the ambitious club, with three games ending in draws while losing once.

The ex-Manchester City striker said referees can err but he has been surprised at the rate at which mistakes are happening.

“It was a good game overall but only the referee can judge if it was a penalty or not.

“I don’t normally want to talk about the referees, you know. But since I was appointed at Ngezi Platinum Stars, I have been undone three times against Bulawayo Chiefs, Dynamos and now against Black Rhinos,” he said.

“Referees are human beings, they make mistakes and so far they have made mistakes on three occasions which have cost us points.

“As a team, we have to do what we can to improve. We need to correct the mistakes we are committing, but we may correct them then the referees decide to do otherwise. But I am not complainin­g about them; they are human beings as well.” Ngezi Platinum conceded a penalty on the hour mark after referee Tatenda Bvekerwa adjudged that defender Chigwida had handled inside the box when under pressure from Black Rhinos’ Tawanda Nyamandwe.

Chigwida was even cautioned for the offence, drawing the ire of the entire Ngezi technical department. And Mwaruwari in response had to dig deep, introducin­g Denver Mukamba and Valentine Kadonzvo, who would combine in the engine room to create the equaliser. “I am happy though after my boys managed to come back into the game after falling behind. “I am not under any pressure since I am trying to build a team with the players I have. The good thing is that the boys are responding well. There is no pressure whatsoever so far given we have lost just once in five games. “We have managed three draws, a win and a defeat. There are still 20 games to go …

“We have to work hard every game and improve. That’s what we need to do. As long as we do that, we have the room to win games,’’ Mwaruwari said.

Ngezi Platinum should have opened the scoring within the opening minute but Wayne Makuva directed his volley over Blessing Mwandimuts­ira’s goal. The Rhinos goalkeeper then made heroic saves throughout the afternoon, including two from point-blank range from Carlos Mavhurume and Makuva.

He, however, turned villain after failing to read the move that resulted in Ngezi’s equaliser. Mukamba picked the ball from the middle of the park before releasing Makuva, who was let down by his first touch, while Mwandimuts­ira stayed rooted on his line.

The former Dynamos goalkeeper then decided to leave the line but it was a bit late, with Makuva lifting the ball over him before it hit the cross bar.

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