THE halfway mark of the season is a time for reflection, a moment to take stock of ambition against reality.
For Ngezi Platinum Stars, a recent tremor in form has prompted outside murmurs of a crisis, yet their coach, Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva, remains entirely unruffled.
Despite a sudden dip in momentum, Mutiwekuziva has insisted his side will take the championship race down to the wire.
A midweek 1-0 defeat to Simba Bhora represented their second loss in three matches, coming shortly after a narrow reverse against Dynamos a fortnight ago—their first defeat of the campaign.
Sandwiched between those setbacks was a solitary 1-0 victory over MWOS.
This recent stumble has left the club sitting fourth in the standings on 29 points, five adrift of the leaders, Scottland.
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While a section of the Ngezi supporters may look at the table with mounting anxiety, and critics beginning to question their title credentials, the coach is looking at it through a lens of calm pragmatism.
To Mutiwekuziva, the title race remains an unpredictable narrative that will only be resolved in the season’s final games.
“I’m not worried, looking at where we are and where we are coming from,” he said.
“We are just at the halfway stage of the season, so there are a lot of games still to play.
“I don’t think the championship has been decided yet. The race is still wide open and deciding games are yet to come.”
The coach’s steadfast confidence is not born of blind optimism, but rather rooted in the underlying performances of his team.
Even in defeat against Dynamos and Simba Bhora, Ngezi looked the more accomplished, dominant side.
Furthermore, context is vital.
Operating under the restrictive shadow of a Fifa transfer ban, which has prevented the club from recruiting new talent, Mutiwekuziva has had to rely heavily on inexperienced players.
In that light, he believes his squad has vastly exceeded expectations.
“I’m very happy with the way they’ve performed in the first 17 games of the season,” the Ngezi Platinum Stars gaffer reflected.
“Losing just twice, it’s a big plus for us looking at the number of young players that we have in the team that we keep integrating with a few senior players.
“And they’ve managed to get to half-mark of the season, on position number four, which is quite commendable. We are one of the teams to beat, which is actually pleasing for me.”
Where observers see a looming crisis, Mutiwekuziva sees merely the fickle nature of footballing margins.
The defeats have not cost him sleep, nor have they shaken his belief in the tactical direction of the side.
“I’m not even worried about those results,” he added.
“They were just a result of football matches. The boys have been spot on, on almost everything that they are doing.
“It’s just unfortunate that we couldn’t get results in those matches, which is the only thing that I can say was negative.
“I’ve got less homework to do, I feel at peace. I will just keep encouraging them so that they can score more goals because they were the best team.”
The opportunity for redemption arrives swiftly.
This afternoon, Ngezi Platinum Stars travel to Mandava Stadium for a platinum derby against FC Platinum.
It is a fixture that presents the perfect stage for Mutiwekuziva’s side to prove that their title ambitions remain very much alive.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matchday 18 fixtures
Today: FC Platinum v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Mandava), Simba Bhora v Manica Diamonds (Wadzanayi), MWOS v FC Hunters (Ngoni), Chicken Inn v Herentals (Barbourfields), Dynamos v TelOne (Rufaro).
Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba v Triangle (Nyamhunga), Scottland v Hardrock (Rufaro), Bulawayo Chiefs v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Agama v Caps United (Wadzanayi)