Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . (1)1
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
MCDONALD Makuwe scored the only goal of the game as Ngezi Platinum Stars handed Harare giants Caps United their first defeat in six matches in an entertaining league encounter at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Makepekepe had gone on a five-match unbeaten run, thus easing their relegation worries after a poor start to the season.
Ngezi Platinum Stars returned to winning ways after a home defeat to Simba Bhora and an away draw in Triangle.
The win saw them remain in sixth place with 35 points from 22 matches, eight behind log leaders Simba Bhora.
Coach Takesure Chiragwi was delighted with the win.
“Firstly, I want to thank God. To be honest, we were playing a very good team that is also fighting to go on and win the match and improve their position,” he said after the match.
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“And you could see their motive, you could see their attitude. They really wanted to win and they are playing as a team. And I think they did very well.
“But we also managed to utilise every chance that we got. We also wanted to give credit to the players for their resilience. These guys were hungry for a win, to be honest with me.”
His counterpart Ian Bakala rued the missed chances in a match in which they had the upper hand for most parts.
“Well, today’s game, I think we didn’t come to the party. We could have won this game from the first minute. Looking at the game, I think we had more chances than our opponents,” the Zambian said.
“We got under pressure in the second half after we conceded. It wasn’t in our plans. I thought we have worked on those problems. It happened, but we just have to focus on the next game.”
Caps United remain in 10th place with 25 points from 22 games, four above the relegation zone.
Despite the visitors looking stronger early on, it was Ngezi Platinum who drew the first blood early when Makuwe headed the ball into the nets after just eight minutes.
Moments earlier, Obriel Chirinda had picked out Leslie Kashitigu with a headed pass, but Stephen Kwaku produced a brilliant save to push the ball out for a corner kick.
It was from that set piece that Ngezi Platinum Stars took the lead.
Talent Chamboko flighted the ball in, which was headed across goal by Kudzai Chigwida before Makuwe helped it into the net.
Caps United were puttting pressure in search of an equaliser with chances through Nyasha Chintuli and Junior Bunjira.
Defender Chitoshi Chinga had the ball in the back of the net 10 minutes before the break, but first assistant referee Claris Simango flagged it for offside.
Caps United continued to push for the equaliser in the second half, but it was the hosts who came closest to scoring.
Gomezagni Chirwa sent an inch perfect cross and Chamboko’s header which was set for a corner was superbly tipped back into play by Stephen Kwaku.
Kope Mugalu thought he had found a late equaliser in stoppage time, but watched in disbelief as his header from a Bruce Kangwa cross grazed the outside of the upright post and went out of play.
Teams
Ngezi Platinum Stars: C Mariyoni (T Chirara, 46’), O Chirinda (T Benhura, 18’), G Chirwa, K Chigwida, M Mukumba, B Katumba, L Kashitigu, A Karengesha ( T Mavhudzi, 46’), T Chamboko, M Gaki (N Gurende, 46’), M Makuwe
Caps United: S Kwaku, B Kangwa, B Kadamanja, C Chinga, T Matongo, T Shandirwa, J Bunjira (J Bakari, 73’), N Chintuli, P Bamusi (T Matindife, 62’), I Wadi (B Chipanera, 62’), K Mugalu
