The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga in Mhondoro-Ngezi
Ngezi Platinum Stars……………………….(1) 3
Cranborne Bullets ………………………….(0) 1
NGEZI Platinum Stars finally found a way to win without the guidance of Rodwell Dhlakama when they stemmed a winless streak that had followed the departure of the respected coach.
A goal by McDonald Makuwe in the first half and a second-half brace by former Triangle forward Delick Murimba helped Ngezi bounce back at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
The victory was a huge relief for Ngezi interim coach Takesure Chiragwi who was yet to record a win since the departure of his former boss.
“If I say I am not happy then mentally somewhere, somehow I have a big problem.
“It is a big relief that these guys have now finally managed to get all the points and it is a big motivating factor going forward,’’ Chiragwi said.
He revealed that Dhlakama’s surprise departure had psychologically impacted a side which the former Young Warriors gaffer had turned into a competitive outfit that charmed many during the Chibuku Super Cup campaign.
“The departure of our former coach had some kind of emotional effect on us in our previous games and this is a big win for us,” said Chiragwi. Having created lot scoring chances which they failed to convert, Cranborne Bullets got their consolation of the afternoon through an own goal by Derick Bonnah.
It was Bonnah’s second own goal in as many matches for the Ghanaian who has had a false start to his life in Zimbabwe.
He also beat his own goalkeeper on his debut against Triangle at Gibbo last Sunday.
Despite Cranborne Bullets still to register a win in their maiden season in the Premiership season, losing five matches and drawing two, their coach Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera insists it is still too early to press the panic button.
“We should have scored some goals in the match but I am confident that we will soon hit the right chords.
“We knew that life in the Premiership won’t be easy but it is a situation which has been made worse by the absence of the majority of our regular players who are out with injuries but again I am confident that we will start collecting points soon,” said Saruchera.
Ngezi Platinum Stars had a positive start to the match, dominating the first-half and came close to finding an opener in the 20th minute when Qadr Amini saw his effort being saved by Tatenda Makona in goals for Cranborne Bullets.
With the army side being forced to defend deep, they finally yielded to the pressure from the miners when Amini made a cut back which was fired home by Makuwe in the 25th minute.
Cranborne Bullets sought to immediately hit back as they started dominating proceedings but they were found wanting in the final third.
Five minutes before the break, the hosts goalkeeper Nelson Chadya was to be called into action, denying Tinotenda Meke who had capitalised on another Bonnah blunder.
The visitors woes in front of goal continued into the second half as they came close to getting an equaliser two minutes after the break when Keith Mutandagari saw his effort hitting the upright with Chadya a beaten man.
Ngezi Platinum then crept back to regain control of the game.
After having a largely quiet afternoon, Denver Mukamba was involved in Ngezi’s second goal when he broke loose on the right flanking before threading a perfect ball to Amini on the left flank.
The Ngezi skipper did well to control the ball before sending in a low cross which Murimba did justice to with a powerful grounder.
Mulimba was back to haunt the soldiers seven minutes later when he tapped in a Mukamba cross to grab his first brace in Ngezi Platinum Stars colours.
Then two minutes before the end, Bonnah turned in a Kingsley Mureremba cross into his own net to give the visitors a consolation goal.
