The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga in MHONDORO
Ngezi Platinum Stars ………………………….1
Manica Diamonds……………………………..0
Ngezi Platinum Stars’ players justified the 69 percent salary increment they received last week with hard fought victory against Manica Diamond at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Amin volleyed in the only goal of the afternoon, 10 minutes from time, to ensure Ngezi Platinum Stars recorded their 11th win of the season. It was a goal that left the Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Rodwell Dhlakama stunned as he did not anticipate the former FC Platinum forward to score from the blind spot.
“From where I was, I did not expect him to score, he was in a blind spot and used his weaker leg. “That said, it was a great goal from him,” said Dhlakama. Despite his charges dominating on attempts at goal, the former Chapungu coach remains worried with the conversion rate of the Mhondoro-based side. “We had to grind out a result after the loss against FC Platinum. I am happy we managed to do that. “The conversion rate remains worrisome. “We should have finished the game in the first half,” said Dhlakama.
Manica Diamonds coach Johanness Nhumwa cast a lonely figure soon after the game. He went for close to 10 minutes standing solo in the dugout, way after his charges had left the room.
ln the post-match interview, Nhumwa admitted that the defeat was painful.
“I cannot laugh when I have lost, as a coach I need to win,” said Nhumwa.
He went on to blame his charges for wasting the few chances that came their way.
“We lost because we missed chances, we were supposed to utilize them. Those chances were simple.” The match started off as a promising game, with both sides trading blows in the first five minutes. Both sides made attempts at goal. However, the match failed to gain the much needed spark. Ngezi Platinum Stars had the first attempt in the first minute through Qadr Amini, before former Manica Diamonds defender Partson Jaure had his effort saved by Nelson Chadya in goals for the hosts two minutes later.
From then onwards, the game’s tempo died.
Mabvura had a perfect scoring opportunity when he received a lay-off from Murera, but with acres of space in front of him, the former Dembare forward rushed his decision, with his close range effort going over the bar.
Despite Manica Diamond having won five corner kicks against the hosts’ single corner kick, the visitors had two shots on target, while Ngezi Platinum Stars had four by the end of the first half. Roughly 20 minutes from time, the hosts had another clear cut chance when second half substitute Kenneth Bulaji beat an off-side trap to find Blessing Sahondo, who shot wide in a one-on-one situation with Manica Diamond goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube.
