Benjani’s Ngezi hold Bosso

Sport
Ngezi, who have also operated in fits and starts, were looking to build on last week’s impressive 3-0 win over Bulawayo City, will count themselves lucky to have grabbed a point against Highlanders.

By Munyaradzi Madzokere

NGEZI PLATINUM……….. (1)1

HIGHLANDERS…………….(1)1

GODFREY Makaruse spared new Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito from a first defeat, cancelling out Leslie Kashitigu’s opener late in the first half as the visiting Bulawayo giants shared spoils with hosts Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab Stadium yesterday.

It was the first time that the inform Bosso dropped points under the tutelage of the Portuguese coach.

Ngezi, who have also operated in fits and starts, were looking to build on last week’s impressive 3-0 win over Bulawayo City, will count themselves lucky to have grabbed a point against Highlanders.

However, Brito felt that a wet and slippery pitch made it difficult for his team to play their natural game.

⚽️@ngeziplatinumfc vs @HighlanderBosso 8' Ngezi Platinum scores📸: @stozvirevaa pic.twitter.com/4beCqvjF48

— The Standard Zim (@thestandardzim) July 3, 2022

“You know that the game is beautiful when you play in a better field. They were more adapted to play in a field like that than us. Our style is to play from the build up, but it is not easy with this kind of field,” he said through an interpreter Antonio Torres.

“We came here with ambition to win, but we were not playing alone; they also have quality. It was a good game, we know that we are going through a process so there are a lot of things we need to improve to be consistent in terms of performance.”

Highlanders started the brighter, but it was unheralded midfielder Kashitigu, who gave the hosts an early lead, nodding home a looping cross from Denver Mukamba 17 minutes into the game

The Bulawayo giants continued to dominate the exchanges in search of an equaliser, but failed to bother Nelson Chadya in goals for Ngezi.

Makaruse blasted home the equaliser four minutes before the break, taking advantage of some slack marking in the box by the hosts.

Bosso had an opportunity to grab a halftime lead, but Chadya spread himself big to thwart Lynoth Chikuwa.

There some interesting situations in the first half where Marlvin seemingly pulled down Ray Lunga inside the penalty box, but the referee waved play on.

Bosso had a chance early in the second half through Stanley Ngala, but Chadya was equal to the task while Denver Mukamba flashed a header wide moments later.

The visitors poured forward in search of the winner, but failed to find the all-important goal.

Ngezi Platinum coach Benjani Mwaruwari was disappointed by the result.

“I think its two points lost because in the first half, we had some better chances to finish them off. Sometimes, when you get those chances, you must take them. Obviously, at home, you need to collect maximum points, but at the end of the day, we know there are three results that we will be playing for and today we had to take a draw,” he said.

Teams

Ngezi Platinum Stars: N Chadya, M Mukumba, P Moyo, M Kwinjo, L Kashitigu, K Chigwida, A Chivandire (E Vuwa 60′), D Murimba (Q Amini 89′), B Mtigo, D Mukamba (T Murasiranwa 69′)

Highlanders: A Sibanda, P Muduhwa, G Makaruse, R Kutsanzira (A Mbeba 83′), M Dhlamini, D Mhindirira (J Ngodzo 66′), L Chikuwa (B Sibanda 66′), R Lunga (W Navaya 58′), N Masuku, S Ngala, M Ndlovu

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