NGEZI STARS . . . . .(1) 3
TRIANGLE . . . . . . . (0) 0
TITLE-chasing Ngezi Platinum Stars closed the gap on log leaders Highlanders to just two points as goals from Takunda Benhura, Bruno Mtigo and Qadr Amini sealed a dominant victory over relegation strugglers Triangle at Baobab Stadium, in Mhondoro Ngezi yesterday.
Benhura, who on a good day could have netted a hat-trick, opened the scoring from close range on the quarter hour mark after some clean interchanges with teammate Leslie Kashitigu.
Mtigo doubled the home side's lead with a rising effort, connecting a first time shot from a free kick on 49th minute.
Skipper Amini made the win more comfortable just before the hour mark when he fired home following a blunder by Triangle goalkeeper Matripples Muleya.
The goalkeeper inexplicably raced off his box, but was beaten to the ball by Benhura, who set up Amini to finish off expertly.
The victory saw Ngezi Platinum Stars moving to 39 points, two behind Highlanders who were beaten 2-0 by Ngezi Platinum Stars yesterday.
There are 14 matches still to play.
For Triangle, the team continues to sink into the relegation mud as they dropped to 14th position, and they could sink further after today's matches.
The lowveld-based team who barely created chances yesterday are winless in their last eight matches in all competitions, has 20 points, just five above basement side Black Rhinos.
They could, however, have raced into a first-minute lead but Svinurai Migos could only sting the hands of goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.
Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi was over the moon.
"I want to congratulate the guys for a very good fighting spirit throughout the 90 minutes that saw us managing to score three goals. In previous matches we created many chances and missed them so it's an improvement for the team and I am happy. We managed to control the game and we won, which is good for the team," Chiragwi said.
Triangle coach Thulani Sibanda was naturally downcast, and could not explain the problems that are facing his team.
"Our confidence levels are dropping by each game. The mistakes that we made at the back are a sign of that. We concede goals very easily and we didn't have much energy in terms of aggression. We will need to change the strategy, maybe one of it will work. It's worrisome that we continue to drop points, but we will try to improve," Sibanda said.
Today's fixtures
Dynamos v Simba Bhora
Manica Diamonds v Herentals
Yadah v Sheasham