The Sunday Mail
JUST when talk of “doing something about the technical team” was beginning to erupt, Ngezi Platinum Stars found their range at the Baobab yesterday.
A 3-1 victory over a solid Triangle United reminded those who were beginning to question Tonderai Ndiraya’s pedigree, or lack thereof, of what the youthful gaffer is capable of delivering.
A brace from Tichaona Mabvura and one from midfielder Marlon Mushonga ended a four-game losing run for the home side.
Collins Dhuwa scored the consolation for Triangle as Ngezi dominated this one, playing with flair and confidence.
Madamburo had lost to Bulawayo Chiefs, FC Platinum, Black Rhinos and Herentals prior to yesterday’s match.
The win against Triangle reduced the gap between Ngezi and log leaders FC Platinum to four points following FC Platinum’s 1-1 draw against Yadah Stars at the National Sports yesterday.
Relief was written all over Ndiraya’s face at the final whistle with the gaffer welcoming a win that he badly needed.
Ngezi Platinum Stars are now on 41 points, four behind rivals FC Platinum who failed to defend a first half 1-0 lead in Harare.
Ali Sadiki thrust FC Platinum into the lead after 30 minutes but veteran Yadah Stars striker Ralph Matema had the final say, heading home the equalizer 14 minutes from time.
Norman Mapeza’s Pure Platinum Play have now dropped five points in two matches following last weekend’s home loss to ZPC Kariba.
Triangle’s loss to Ngezi opened a chance for Chicken Inn who moved into third place after dispatching Nichrut 4-0 at Luveve, thanks largely to a hat-trick by Obrey Chirinda.
Simon Munawa scored Chicken Inn’s fourth.
Joey Antipas’ Gamecocks are now on 34 points and 11 behind log leaders FC Platinum.
Harare City remained sixth on the table after battling to a 1-1 draw against Bulawayo City at Barbourfields.
Bulawayo City’s Ayanda Ncube scored the opener after 14 minutes before Kuda Musharu responded for the Sunshine Boys in the 66th minute.
The draw was not enough for Bulawayo City who remain in the relegation zone on 15th position.
Black Rhinos stretched their unbeaten run to 10 matches after playing out a goalless draw against ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga.
A silent revolution is happening at Rhinos, who are being coached by former Dynamos juniors coach Herbert Maruwa.
Chauya Chipembere are now eighth on the log with 29 points while ZPC Kariba remain ninth with six points less.
“The boys have now gone for 10 games without a defeat and I think they deserve a pat on the back. We are not gunning for the title but we want a respectable position at the end of the season,” said Maruwa.
Former Caps United, Harare City and ZRP Mambas left footer Honey Chimutimunzeve made his debut for Black Rhinos after completing the move to the army side during the week.
Big striker Francisco Zekumbawire also featured for the first time for ZPC Kariba after recovering from an injury that kept him on the sidelines since the beginning of the 2018 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Chapungu moved out of the red zone with an emphatic 3-1 victory over bottom placed Mutare City at Ascot.
Allan Tavarwisa (double) and Maxwell Mavuto were on target for the airmen while Billy Vheremu scored Gusha Bhora’s solitary goal.
Chapungu are now on 19 points and 13th on the log while Mutare City remain rooted at the bottom with 11 points in 19 matches.
Results
Chapungu 3-1 Mutare City
Bulawayo 1-1 Harare City
Yadah 1-1 FC Platinum
Chicken Inn 4-0 Nichrut
Ngezi Platinum 3-1 Triangle
ZPC Kariba 0-0 Black Rhinos
Team P W D L F A GD PTS
FC Platinum 19 14 3 2 29 8 21 45
Ngezi Platinum Stars 19 13 2 4 31 11 20 41
Chicken Inn 19 9 7 3 25 13 12 34
Triangle United 19 10 2 7 24 15 9 32
Caps United 18 8 6 4 23 14 9 30
Harare City 19 7 9 3 19 14 5 30
Highlanders 18 8 5 5 17 12 5 29
Black Rhinos 19 7 8 4 16 14 2 29
ZPC Kariba 19 6 8 5 15 18 -3 23
Herentals 18 5 7 6 9 14 -5 22
Yadah Stars 19 5 7 7 19 26 -7 22
Dynamos 18 5 6 7 15 20 -5 21
Chapungu 19 5 4 10 15 25 -10 19
Bulawayo Chiefs 18 4 6 8 12 19 -7 18
Nichrut 19 4 4 11 14 24 -10 16
Bulawayo City 19 4 3 12 17 24 -7 15
Shabanie Mine 18 2 8 8 17 34 -17 14
Mutare City 19 2 5 12 14 26 -12 11
