NGEZI PLATINUM . . . . . . .(0) 2
SHEASHAM FC . . . . . . . . . . .(0)1
NGEZI Platinum Stars now have one hand on the league title after producing a dominant second half display to beat visitors Sheasham at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Inform striker Takunda Benhura and Claude Mapoka provided the goals for the home side in the second half, while Liberty Masweure scored a stoppage time consolation goal for relegation-threatened Sheasham who are tasting topflight football for the first time.
The Mhondoro-Ngezi-based side is now a win away from clinching its first league title since being promoted in 2016. Ngezi play Simba Bhora, another newbie in the league, at Baobab on Saturday.
While remaining grounded, hosts coach Takesure Chiragwi is now confident of winning the title.
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“Obviously where we are going we believe that we can clinch the title and we have to make sure that we keep on working hard. It's not easy to get three points, so we have to keep on fighting until the end,” he said.
Ngezi Platinum dominated the first half as they bombarded the opposition box but failed to create clear-cut opportunities.
Benhura headed home the opener in the 58th minute taking advantage of commotion in the box after Shesham failed to clear a Tapiwa Mandinyenya corner kick. Mapoka doubled the scores 12 minutes before fulltime with his first touch, nodding substitute Elson Mweha's cross beyond goalkeeper Elton Sibanda’s reach.
Masweure, who had a quiet day, then headed home substitute Stanley Mhare's cross in stoppage time.
Sheasham coach Lizwe Sweswe is still optimistic that the team will survive relegation. They are on 13th position with 34 points, one above ZPC Kariba sitting on the relegation cut-off line.
“We have to push up to the last game. What is important is to hang in there. We have two games at home and we will try and utilise that,” Sweswe said.
Ngezi Platinum Stars: N Chadya, K Chigwida, P Moyo, T Mandinyenya (M Mukumba, 65'), T Benhura, G Madhake, F Madhanaga, L Kashitigu, N Makumbe (E Mweha, 76') , Q Amini (B Mtigo, 76', T Murasiranwa (C Mapako, 76')
Sheasham FC: E Sibanda, R Useni, C Kwaramba, P Madhazi, L Masveure, W Stima, D Mangesi, L Jani, H Bakacheza, T Jubane, P Shoko