Ngezi edge into Chibuku final

10 Nov, 2019 - 00:11 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Don Makanyanga in Mhondoro- Ngezi

Harare City……………………………..1

Ngezi Platinum Stars……………….1

(Ngezi Platinum Stars won 7-6 on penalties)

THREE years after they won the Chibuku Super Cup, Ngezi Platinum Stars rode their luck to edge into this year’s final after a close contest with Harare City at Baobab yesterday. The victory leaves the miners with a chance to end the season with at least some silverware after they fell behind in the league championship race.

Goalkeeper Nelson Chadya’s heroics in the sudden death penalty shootout helped the miners back into the final they last reached in 2016.

After both teams had been deadlocked 1-1 in regulation time, the game had to be decided by penalties.

Still after the prescribed five penalties for either side, the two teams could not be separated and the lottery went into sudden death.

Ngezi had to bank on national Under-23 goalkeeper Chadya’s agility to thwart Tatenda Tumba and send the miners’ fans into delirium.

After watching his men edge past battling Harare City, Ngezi coach Rodwell Dhlakama believes they have the pedigree to win the cup.  “It is in my DNA to play in the finals and it’s not something new to me and with the players I have, nothing can stop us from winning it.”

“Above all, I have to win this title for Ngezi and I have done it before and nothing will stop me from winning it,” said Dhlakama.

Despite finding himself in the losing end, Harare City coach, Lloyd Chitembwe was happy with the performance of his charges and hopes his charges will quickly put behind the defeat and focus on surviving the chop in the Premier League.

“It is very disappointing to lose the semi-final but I think the players gave it their all and it was unfortunate that the game had to be decided by the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

“We have to quickly put behind the defeat and focus on the league,” said Chitembwe.

William Manondo had headed Harare city into the lead on the half hour mark before Ngezi drew level via veteran defender Qadr Amini seven minutes later, tapping home a cross from Nielson Ketala.

The first half saw Ngezi Platinum having a total of five shots off target and single attempt at goal while the hosts Harare City shot once both off target and on target.

In the shootout lottery Frank Mukarati, Barnabus Mushunje, Kelvin Bulaji, Keith Murera, Qadr Amini, James Nguluve and Polite Moyo converted for Ngezi.

Apart from fall guy Tumba, City had goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu, Moses Muchenje, Raymond Uchena, Marshal Machazane and Ishmael Wadi finding the mark.

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