NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . . . . .(1) 4
BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . . . . . . . . .(2) 2
LEAGUE champions Ngezi Platinum Stars came from behind to beat Bulawayo Chiefs in a six-goal thriller and progress to the quarter finals of the Chibuku Super Cup at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Reason Sibanda gave the visitors an early lead before Ngezi Platinum Stars equalised courtesy of an own goal by Leeroy Ndlovu.
Bukhosi Sibanda ensured Chiefs take a slender lead to the break, but goals from Farai Madhanaga and Nigel Makumbo as well as another own goal by Charlton Siamalonga completed a come-from-behind win for the platinum miners.
Ngezi assistant coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva praised his team for the fighting spirit as well as the trio of Obriel Chirinda, Nigel Makumbe and Richard Hachiro, who were introduced at half time.
“A great performance, great fighting spirit to come back twice from a spirit Bulawayo Chiefs. They had a mission to upset us here, but we resisted them very well,” Mutiwekuziva said.
“The hard work that the team put, the unity of purpose and depth of the team made the difference. We introduced Richard, Obriel and Nigel and they changed the complexion of the game.”
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Chiefs assistant coach Thulani Sibanda bemoaned individual errors, while praising the hosts for their depth.
“Ngezi Platinum Stars have got depth, so the introduction of Richard Hachiro and Obriel Chirinda gave them an edge and individual errors at the back is something we need to rectify. We will try to concentrate on staying in the league and see what we can achieve next year,” the assistant coach said.
The 2022 Chibuku Super Cup champions had a fast start to the game and took the lead with their very first attack through Reason, who bundled the ball home off a Nkosilathi Ncube pass from close range inside five minutes.
Ngezi began to push for an equaliser and had a glorious chance to restore parity, but Tinotenda Murasiranwa failed to find the target with just the keeper Tinotenda Chinoviringa to beat after 15 minutes.
However, the hosts were rewarded halfway through the first half following a mix-up in the visitors’ backline, which resulted in Ndlovu beating his own goalkeeper, Chinoviringa.
Chiefs regained their lead through Bukhosi, who tapped in a Ncube cross five minutes before the break. It was a second assist of the match for Ncube.
There was enough time for Ngezi to equalise before the break and it was the visitors goalkeeper Chinoviringa who made a fine save to deny Carlos Mavhurume’s long-range effort in stoppage time.
Ngezi made three changes at the break, bringing on Chirinda and Hachiro, who returned from international duty on Wednesday.
Makumbe was also introduced at the break, with Kudzai Chigwida, Murasiranwa and Marvelous Mukumba making way.
The equaliser came just before the hour mark through Madhanaga, who headed home a Makumbe cross.
Both teams pushed for the lead and it was Makumbe who thrust the platinum miners in front for first time in the game with a well taken shot inside the box, 12 minutes before full-time.
Moments later, the hosts got another goal, this time substitute Siamalonga beating his own goalkeeper for a second Chiefs own goal of the game.
And with that, Ngezi Platinum became the last name into the last eight draw which takes place in Harare this morning.
Teams
Ngezi Platinum Stars: C Mariyoni, M Mukumba (N Makumbo, 46’), L Kashitigu, Q Amini (C Mapoka, 82’), T Munemo, T Benhura (N Tigere, 82’), F Madhanaga, C Mavhurume, T Murasiranwa (O Chirinda, 46’), G Madhake, K Chigwida (R Hachiro, 46’)
Bulawayo Chiefs: T Chinoviringa, L Ndlovu (B Munkuli, 60’), B Sibanda (T Muchenje, 60’), E Chikwende, N Ncube, L Ndlela, P Shoko (B Addotey, 84’), J Nyabinde (T Mabhena), J Masaza, R Kwaramba, R Sibanda (M Svinurai, 76’)
