YADAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 2
NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . . . . . (1) 3
NGEZI Platinum Stars kept their title aspirations alive with a stunning come-from-behind victory, overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Yadah in a five-goal thriller at the Heart Stadium yesterday.
The result compounds Yadah’s growing fears of relegation, as they remain precariously close to the drop zone.
The home side got off to a dream start, with Tanaka Chikumba netting one of the fastest goals in the history of the domestic Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, scoring just 29 seconds into the match.
The early lead was doubled just after the half-hour mark when Evans Rusike finished a clever layoff from King Nadolo.
Yadah seemed to be in full control, but a shocking second half collapse allowed the visitors to stage an improbable comeback.
Substitute Delic Murimba was the hero for Ngezi, scrambling home the winner with virtually the last kick of the game.
- Inside Sport: Local stadiums in urgent need of attention
- Bullets ease relegation fears
- FC Platinum move six points clear
- Clinical Herentals leapfrog Ngezi to sixth
Keep Reading
His goal sealed a remarkable turnaround that was fuelled by a brace from Talent Chamboko.
The victory saw the Mhondoro-based side leapfrog from seventh to third on the log standings with 43 points, at least for 24 hours.
Ngezi Platinum coach Takesure Chiragwi praised his team’s resilience and character.
“I want to thank God. I think the guys did very well today, to be honest,” he said.
“We were very unfortunate to concede after 30 seconds, but we knew it was too early and we could still come back.
“You can see the boys have that belief… they showed that fighting spirit.”
Despite Yadah’s blistering start, Ngezi Platinum quickly gained control of the match, dominating possession.
Chiragwi noted that the team remained calm even after conceding the second goal.
“We knew if we kept on playing the ball, we were going to get some situations that we can go behind their defence and make sure we can score,” he added.
The visitors’ first goal was a product of that belief.
A series of quick passes released Chamboko, who beat the offside trap and finished confidently.
Although Chamboko missed a sitter to level the scores in the 52nd minute, he made amends in the 74th minute, heading home a cross from halftime substitute Ashwin Karengesha.
The pressure mounted, and another halftime substitute, Murimba, sealed the dramatic win in stoppage time.
“We kept on believing that we can do it,” Chiragwi said.
“We made the changes at halftime, bringing in Delic and also Karengesha to have that speed and also a quick, intelligent forward.
“And they gave us what we wanted.”
For Yadah, the result was a bitter pill to swallow.
They remain in 13th position with 28 points and are in danger of dropping into the relegation zone if the teams below them — Chicken Inn, Green Fuel and Manica Diamonds — collect points in their weekend matches.
Distraught, Yadah coach Takaendesa Jongwe was almost speechless after the final whistle.
“Bad day in the office ... it was a bad day,” he said.
“That’s all I can say. To try and break it down, it’s neither here nor there.
“You don’t lead two-nil and give that away at this level.”
The final score was more than just a number.
It was a symbol of a season’s trajectory.
For one team, it was a great escape.
For the other, it was a fall from grace that brings them perilously close to the point of no return.
Teams
Yadah: G Gurure, T Daka, T Vareta, A Chitauro, S Mewali, K Nadolo, M Faranando, S Masukuta (V Musarurwa, 60’), T Chikumba, (Urikhob, 53’), J Chipangura, E Rusike
Ngezi Platinum Stars: D Musariranwa, P Moyo, R Hachiro, T Chamboko, Q Amini, G Chirwa, T Munemo (A Karengesha, 46’), T Mavhudzi (N Muzenda, 66’), M Makuwe, M Mukumba, T Benhura (D Murimba, 46’)
