The Sunday Mail
Ngqwele Dube
How Mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
Ngezi Platinum Stars. . . . . . (1) 2
AN injury time strike by substitute Evans Katema propelled visiting Ngezi Platinum Stars to a crucial victory in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie against How Mine at Luveve yesterday. The match seemed headed for a stalemate with both teams one apiece but Ngezi showed great fighting spirit. The visitors got the winner after goalkeeper Donovan Bernard fumbled what should have been an easy to deal with aerial ball.
How Mine were left to rue a missed penalty in the fourth minute as they went for a sixth game without a win. The home side dominated the proceedings from the first minute and earned a penalty after Ngezi shot stopper Nelson Chadya brought down a charging Godfrey Nguwodzawo.
Referee Martin Chivandire pointed to the spot but Qadr Amini hit the upright from the spot kick. Despite creating several chances, How Mine could not find the opener and it was Ngezi who shot into the lead in the 14th minute with their first chance of the game.
Nelson Ketala spotted an unmarked James Nguluve who made a solo run on the left flank before beating Bernard. How Mine brought in striker Kudakwashe Musharu in the 50th minute for Nguwodzawo and the move seemed to have paid off as three minutes later, he leveled the scores with a header on the near post after Tsepo Ranthokoane had flighted in a cross from the left flank.
Katema then sent Ngezi’s handful of fans into a delirium with his last minute winner to secure a second consecutive victory since Tonderayi Ndiraya took over as head coach. Ndiraya was thrilled with the win.
“The win will give us confidence going forward and I am glad the hard work the boys put in paid off. The three points are crucial as we seek to get out of the relegation zone but How Mine gave us a good match and played well dominating the match but unfortunately, they couldn’t find the sucker punch,” he said.
How Mine coach, Kelvin Kaindu blamed his defence. “We have tried to work on the defence but it seems we are yet to get it right because we seem to concede in harmless situations. We allowed Ngezi to score with the only chance they created in the first half and even the second goal should have been easily dealt with,” he said.
Kaindu felt missing the penalty could have worked against them as his side had to chase the game after Ngezi scored the opener.
Teams
How Mine: D Bernard, P Tonha, Q Amini, T Kumbuyani, N Tachi, M Sakala, T Ranthokoane (T January 74th minute), P Manhanga (H Masuku, 82nd), T Banda, G Nguwodzawo (K Musharu, 50th), C Sibanda
Ngezi Platinum: N Chadya, K Murera N Ketala, L Chakoroma, K Machona, J Marufu (K Kapikinyu, 73rd), E Tapera, D Tavari, W Pakamisa (E Katema, 67th), J Nguluve, M Emmanuel (I Sokosi, 61st)
