The Sunday Mail
Ngezi Platinum . . . . . . . . (1) (2)
Mushowani . . . . . . . . . . . (0) (2)
(Ngezi won 3-2 after extra time)
FORGOTTEN striker Enasio Perezo inspired Ngezi Platinum to their first major silverware in a five-goal Yadah TV Cup final that needed 120 minutes to settle at Gwanzura yesterday.
Before a big crowd, Perezo struck first for Ngezi Platinum after only 15 minutes when he blasted home from inside the box. Gangly forward Gift Mufutumara equalised for Mushowani in the 75th minute but the drama was yet to begin. Terrence Dzukamanja, younger brother to former Premiership striker Admire, restored Ngezi’s lead three minutes later.
Ugly scenes returned to haunt Division One soccer once again when the Ngezi bench led by coach Clifton Kadurira stormed the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Mushowani Stars by referee Pedzisai Chadya in the 85th minute.
Play had to be stopped as some unruly fans started throwing missiles onto the pitch in a moment of madness that was a bad advert for the league in front of representatives of their main sponsors, World Navi.
The sponsors were represented by their managing director Yoshifumi Sawada, who flew in from Japan.
The situation was made worse when Chadya ordered a retake after Idilisa Kaponda’s initial effort that had been saved by the Ngezi keeper Tinashe Matore who was, however, adjudged to have moved off his line before the kick was taken.
Play had to be stopped for almost five minutes again and when normalcy returned, Kaponda made no mistake. Extra time was needed.
Former Monomotapa and Shabanie Mine striker Carlos Mesi then emerged as the hero of the day when his beautifully struck penalty, after 100 minutes of play, secured Ngezi the trophy. “I am very happy, I have waited for this moment for a long time. My boys played according to instructions and the trick was to cut their supply line in the midfield, especially the Soccer Star of the Year Zivanai Mhanda.
“As for that chaotic incident, it was just a moment of madness. It happens, this game is full of emotions,” said Kadurira who made his name as a player with the now defunct Blackpool.
His opposite number Paul “Popopo” Chimalizeni accepted defeat and promised to come back with a more hungrier team next year.
