NGEZI STARS . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 2
YADAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
KHAMA Billiat finally scored his first league goal for Yadah, netting a 64th minute equaliser to secure a draw for his side away to defending league champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
The club's marquee signing had arguably his best game of the season so far, providing an assist for Evans Rusike's 2nd minute goal before creating a number of chances for his team.
It was also Rusike's first goal since joining the Walter Magaya owned side last month.
The stuttering Ngezi Platinum Stars scored their opening goal from a penalty after 10 minutes, converted by Qadr Amini after Takunda Benhura had been brought down inside the box.
The home side then took the lead when Tinotenda Musariranwa, making his first start of the season, bundled home from close range on 32nd minute after Yadah defenders were caught ball watching inside the box following a corner kick.
The goal appeared to reinvigorate the home side who continued to dominate play but could not make full use of the chances that they created in the first stanza.
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In fact, it was Yadah who almost scored at the stroke of halftime, but were denied by the woodwork from a free kick.
Yadah carried that momentum into the second half and were rewarded when their star man Billiat drilled home from a rebound after goalkeeper Nelson Chadya had blocked a Rusike shot from outside the box.
The two combined again to near good effect moments later when Billiat fed Rusike with a square ball inside the box, and the striker tried to beat the keeper with a cheeky backheel, but could not hit the target.
Midfielder Blessed Ndereki had two efforts from range for the visitors late on as Yadah finished strongly and threatening to take all the three points.
Yadah coach Ruzive said he was happy that Billiat has finally broken his duck.
“I'm very happy for him, and I was waiting for this moment.
“Let's hope it's a start of bigger things for him. Khama is not an ordinary player and his quality should help us to achieve our goals this season.”
The point took Ngezi Platinum out of the relegation zone to 13th position with 8 points from a possible 24.
Yadah are a point below their opponent and still find themselves in the relegation zone on 16th position.
