NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . . . (1)
ARENEL FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)
STRIKER Obriel Chirinda scored his fourth goal in as many matches to help defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars to their seventh straight win in a one-sided match against Arenel at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Chirinda swept the ball home from close range early in the match to give the team crucial three points.
The June player of the month was presented with his cheque before kickoff.
The latest win for Ngezi Platinum Stars saw them leapfrog Manica Diamonds into second place with 33 points, two behind log leaders FC Platinum who are in action today.
Takesure Chiragwi's charges have not lost a match in the league since the 2 - 1 loss away to Simba Bhora on May 11.
And since then they have beaten TelOne, Chegutu Pirates, Bikita Minerals, Chicken Inn, Herentals, CAPS United and lately Arenel.
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Chiragwi was happy with the team's consistency as the the title race heats up.
"I am happy and we thank God for that. We just need that consistency, in winning, especially in the second round of the season. We need to be focused and we need to be more hungry so that we can keep on getting the results," he said.
"Coming to the game I think we did very well. We were in control of the game from the start and unfortunately we missed a lot of chances. But that's football, probably we were just supposed to win 1-0 like this. What is important is to win maximum points," he said.
Obriel Chirinda scored after a cutback from Marvelous Mukumba
Moments later Aaron Ngwenya did well to stop a Tigere Header from point blank.
Arenel got their first chance after 25 minutes when Chilumbyo Mnkuli broke free on the left and his curling shot flew just wide.
It was their only attempt at goal for the entire game.
The hosts picked up from where they left off in the second half and had a golden opportunity to double the lead when Chirinda picked out substitute Takunda Benhura inside the box but the young striker miscued his shot with the goalkeeper to beat.
Ngezi Platinum launched wave after wave of attack, but somehow failed to breach the defence marshalled by Arthur Ndlovu and Polite Mwenda.
In the end they claimed a narrow win.
Teams
Ngezi Platinum Stars - N Chadya, P Moyo ( N Makumbe 46'), L Kashitigu, O Chirinda ( T Murasiranwa 81), C Mavhurume, M Demera (T Benhura 46'), M Gaki ( N Muzenda 81'), N Tigere ( E Mweha 70'), F Madhanaga, M Mukumba, K Chigwida
Arenel - A Ngwenya, G Dlodlo, B Gijimani, A Ndlovu, P Mwenda, G Chigwenhese, B Jaravaza, Z Dambo, C Mnkuli, C Machisi( F Mthethwa 82'), B Ngwenya
Results
Simba Bhora 1 - 0 Manica Diamonds
Bikita Minerals 0 - 1 Herentals College FC
Bulawayo Chiefs 2 - 1 GreenFuel
Yadah 1 - 1 Hwange
