The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga in Mhondoro-Ngezi
Ngezi Platinum Stars……….. 5
Bulawayo City FC………………0
NGEZI Platinum sent early warning shots of their intent to the rest of the league courtesy of a convincing 5-nil drubbing of Bulawayo City in their opening Castle Lager Premiership match played at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Nyasha Chintuli chipped in with four goals as the Mhondoro-based side gave their opponents quite the welcome back to the league.
Chintuli put the hosts ahead in the sixth minute after unleashing a powerful strike that beat Bhekimpilo Ncube in goals for the visitors. He was at it again when he tapped in a Marvelous Mukamba chip some 19 minutes later, and sealed the first hat-trick of the season seven minutes after the break.
This time, he tapped in a Valentine Kadonzvo rebound. He concluded his goal scoring spree in the 65th minute in what turned out to be a repetition of the third.
Walter Vuwa then hit the final nail in Bulawayo City’s coffin, a minute after his introduction, powering in a thunderbolt inside the visitors’ box to hand Ngezi Platinum Stars the easy win.
Bulawayo City struggled for the better part of the day, with their only clear cut chance arriving in 65th minute when Welcome Ndiweni broke free on the right flank only to miscue his effort.
Both Rodwell Dhlakama and Philani Ncube were forced to make injury-inspired substitutions in the first half, with the hosts withdrawing midfielder Denver Mukamba after pulling his hamstring on half-hour mark.
Bhekimpilo Ncube, in goals for the visitors, was then pulled out five minutes later after he landed awkwardly and appeared to dislocate his shoulder.
The win by Ngezi Platinum, unfortunately, saw them only shoot to second on the table as FC Platinum thrashed newboys Tenax 6-1 at Mandava.
“The league is a marathon, and it’s good that we’re starting on a good note,” said Dhlakama.
“The win gives us confidence going forward, and the chances of us winning the league title are bright.
“We have played FC Platinum, winning one match and losing the other.
“We also played last season’s second best team and won, so from that alone you can see that we have a team that can compete for the championship”.
Dhlakama heaped praises on his yesterday’s goal hero Chintuli.
“It is good that he scored, but I urge him to keep his head down and continue working hard.
“He is a good player,” he said.
City coach Ncube described the result as a wake up call, and blamed his defence for the defeat.
“We wanted to play, but they (Ngezi Platinum Stars) wanted it more. We need to turn this defeat into a positive thing going forward,” he said.
