The Sunday Mail
Ngezi Platinum … 1
Chicken Inn …….. 0
CLIVE AUGUSTO scored a last minute winner as Ngezi Platinum Stars edged Chicken Inn in an absorbing Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash at a wet Baobab.
Augusto capitalised on poor defending by the Gamecocks to poke home a priceless goal which saw his team maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Ngezi have won their opening five matches and are yet to concede a goal. After yesterday’s victory, coach Tonderai Ndiraya said: “Winning our first five games means we have achieved our short-term target and we are now looking forward to the next target, which is ten games.
“We have said from the start that said that our ultimate target this year is the league title and I am happy with how we have started even though I am not yet convinced with our play, we need to work on our conversion.”
Chicken Inn coach Joey “Mafero” Antipas reckoned his side paid the price for a lapse in concentration.
“It’s one of those things that happen in football, one lapse and that’s it. But my boys did put up a brave performance and it’s unfortunate that we lost.
“However, its early days yet, we go back home to work on our next game,” he said.
In a lunchtime kick-off at Rufaro, Harare City picked up their second win off the season but coach Mark Harrison was far from happy.
Harrison said the 2-0 win over Bulawayo Chiefs, courtesy of strikes from Kuda Musharu and William Manondo strikes, could have been delivered with an avalanche of goals.
Musharu opened the scoring on 35 minutes before Manondo secured the points with a 65th minute effort.
“I thought we played well … our movement was good we opened them up enough times to probably win the game with four or five goals,” said Harrison. “We have to learn to kill teams offs, otherwise going one up at halftime, they were still in the game.”
Chiefs coach Garthly Chipuka bemoaned the absence of key player Tatenda Chikwenda.
“We couldn’t also play as well as we wanted because we were missing one of our key players, Tatenda Chikwenda. We normally play the ball and Tatenda is our playmaker so his absence was felt,” he said.
At the National Sports Stadium, Lameck Nhamo scored the winner in Triangle’s 2-1 win over Yadah Stars.
Former Caps United man Phineas Bhamusi gave the visitors an early lead, but Leeroy Mavunga equalised for Yadah after converting a second half penalty. But two minutes after Mavunga’s effort, Nhamo was wheeling away in celebration after restoring the lead through a neatly converted penalty. Triangle coach Taurai Mangwiro was thrilled by his team’s second win on the bounce.
“We showed character when we needed. We struggled gain access into the stadium as the hosts played some dirty tactics.
“Credit to the boys, they showed great fighting spirit. We needed this win. We didn’t have the best of results in our first three matches but I am happy that we have started winning matches now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lot Chiwunga’s 13th minute strike gave Black Rhinos maximum points against a Bulawayo City outfit that is struggling for consistency.
Castle Lager PSL Results
Harare City 2 – 0 Bulawayo Chiefs
Yadah 1 – 2Triangle
Bulawayo City 0 – 1 Black Rhinos
Today’s Fixtures
Caps v Herentals (NSS), Shabanie v Mutare City (Maglas), Chapungu v FC Platinum (Ascot), Highlanders v Nichrut (Barbourfields)0
