The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
Yadah ……………………………..1
Ngezi Platinum Stars……….0
YADAH coach Genesis Mangombe is optimistic that his team will avoid the chop after their Castle Lager Premier Soccer triumph over Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro yesterday enhanced the Harare side’s survival chances.
Godknows Mangani’s 75th minute goal made the difference and gave a ray of hope for the Miracle Boys who, however, remained anchored at the bottom of the log table.
“If we want to survive relegation at this point in time, then we need to collect maximum points, whether we are playing at home or away. If we continue on this path then I am confident that we can survive relegation,” said Mangombe.
Yadah’s win ended new Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Rodwell Dhlakama’s perfect start at the Mhondoro-based side.
Mangani’s set-piece conversion from the edge of the box 15 minutes from time breathed hope into the Miracle Boys’ fight for survival as they have now recorded two wins and a draw in their last three outings.
With Ngezi Platinum Stars dominating proceedings in the first half, Mangombe made a tactical move during the break and switched the team’s formation from 1-4-5-1 to 1-4-4-2.
The tactical decision paid off as it forced the visitors to defend deep in their own half.
“It was a game of two halves, were our opponents played well in the first half and we dominated in the second half following a change in the team set-up. I am happy that the decision paid off for our team,” said Mangombe.
Ngezi created numerous chances and could have killed the game in the first half had it not been of their wasteful forwards led by captain Tichaona Mabvura, who also missed a spot-kick in the 25th minute.
The defeat marked the first defeat for Dhlakama after three matches .
The soft spoken gaffer blamed his charges for the loss.
“After the miss, my charges lost concentration. We also created a lot of chances but failed to convert them, surely we have ourselves to blame for the loss.
“Had we converted the penalty, we could have won the match with a bigger margin. The miss was the turning point in our defeat,’ said Dhlakama.
Ngezi were the dominant side, forcing Yadah to defend deep in the early stages of the game. They were rewarded with a penalty in the 25th minute after Jonathan Chitereki hacked down Kenneth Bulaji inside the box.
Mabvura stepped up to take kick but failed to convert as it was punched back into play by Issa Ali in goals for Yadah.
Yadah came from the break a better side, piling pressure on the visitors.
They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box in the 75th minute when Polite Moyo brought down veteran striker Ralph Matema.
Mangani then beat the Ngezi defensive wall and goalkeeper Nelson Chadya with a powerful grounder.
Teams:
Yadah FC: I. Ali, A. Shumba, Z. Bizeki, B. Madzokere, E. Karembo, G. Mangani, L. Mavunga, J. Sibanda, R. Matema, P Nyamakura.
Ngezi Platinum Stars: N. Chadya, B. Mtigo, Q. Amini, P. Moyo, T. Mchisa, K. Murera, A. Makaipa, N. Ketala, K. Bulaji, T. Mabvura (J. Nguluve 65 min), M. Mushonga
