Platinum Derby ends in a deadlock

Ngezi Platinum .....................0

Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza acknowledged games are becoming more difficult as the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race enters the home stretch.

His charges were made to do most of the defending as they failed to stretch their lead at the top in this deadlock at Baobab yesterday.

With second-placed Dynamos dropping points in their goalless draw at ZPC Kariba in an early kick-off and Chicken Inn losing to Black Rhinos, Mapeza’s team had an opportunity to increase the gap at the top to eight points.

But they were made to work for the point against a Ngezi Platinum team that showed some glimpses of their past glory.

Ngezi, still reeling from an early exit from the Chibuku Super Cup last week needed to put together a solid show to stop the leaders.

And they did just that, even restricting their visitors to two tame shots on target in the entire match.

For a team, which lost their last league match and chasing for a top-four finish, the result was something welcome for caretaker coach Takesure Chiragwi who has not made his aim a secret.

The youthful gaffer was especially impressed by the way his players performed.

They have been cagey in their recent games and yesterday reminded everyone of their prowess.

It was a pity they failed to utilise at least one of their so many scoring opportunities they fashioned.

“I am more than happy. I think we managed to play the way we had practised during the week,” said Chiragwi.

“We wouldn’t allow them (FC Platinum) to play their normal game. I am happy my charges went out in the pitch and did exactly what we had trained during the week.

“We had a better ball retention and made the most arrays in their defensive third (than they did).

“Of course, we missed some chances that were going to change the complexion of the game, especially in the first half.

“But, all in all, I am happy with the performance. Football is like that, you learn every day at training, so I am happy. We saw where we were getting it wrong.

“If you are getting into the box it means you are creating chances and that’s a very big plus on our part.

“If you look at us before, we were not getting into the box but now we are. Eventually, we will get to start winning matches,” he said.

Chiragwi said his team will be looking to pick the wins as the league, which is nine games from the finish line, winds up.

“What is important is the performance of the team. Yes, results matter but how we perform gives you the confidence how you are going to play and get results.

“With this kind of performance, it means we will be getting more positive results.

“I think we are getting there slowly but surely.”

It was a match that Ngezi Platinum dominated but failed to bag.

Chiragwi made three changes to the side that lost to Herentals in the Chibuku Super Cup last week and there was a marked improvement in their pattern of play.

Denver Mukamba should have scored towards the end of a dominant first half display by his team but his free-kick outside the box was too weak to trouble Wallace Magalane in goals for the guests.

Defender Kudzi Chigwida came the closest in the second half but his goal-bound header was cleared off the line by substitute Rainsome Pavari.

FC Platinum, who also drew their last league encounter against Black Rhinos the last time out, were always cautious and never really threatened to take the maximum points against a club that beat them 1-0 in the reverse fixture.

And Mapeza took the point to Zvishavane with some satisfaction.

“We had some moments where I feel we were okay.

“In the first 45 minutes, we never had any shot on target.

“In the second half, I think we had some few opportunities but then our decision making wasn’t okay.

“But we will fight another day, we will go home with a point which is okay.

“Games are becoming difficult,” he said.

Teams:

Ngezi Platinum: Nelson Chadya, Marvellous Mukumba, Polite Moyo, Carlos Mavhurume, Denver Mukamba (Qadr Amini 58min), Kudzai Chigwida, Junior Zindoga(Delic Murimba 58min), Leslie Kashitigu, Valentine Kadonzvo (Wayne Makuva 72 min) Tinotenda Murasiranwa, Farai Madhanaga

FC Platinum: Wallace Magalane, Blessing Moyo, Juan Mutudza (Rainsome Pavari 58min), Brian Banda, Lawrence Mhlanga, Oscar Bhebhe (Walter Musona 58min), Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Evidence Tendayi,Gift Bello, Kelvin Mangiza, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya