Ngezi Platinum Stars... (0) 1
Triangle United ............(0) 1
The aura of invincibility surrounding Ngezi Platinum Stars at home was finally pierced yesterday at Baobab Stadium. For the first time this season, the log leaders failed to secure maximum points after being held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Triangle United side that defied their lowly league position.
The hosts initially looked set to extend their winning streak when defender Gomezgani Chirwa broke the deadlock with a second-half header, but a late strike from substitute Stephen Zhogi ensured the spoils were shared.
Both coaches reflected on a result that left them with conflicting emotions.
"I have mixed feelings,” Triangle United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said.
“Yeah, we could have easily lost it, but all the same I have a feeling that we could have easily won it.
“Considering the first half performance, in the first half I think we created some very, very good opportunities.
“One on one, on three occasions, those are not cheap situations. Unfortunately for (Emmanuel) Paga, it was never meant to be. Such is football, we take it, we accept it."
He has been with the team for barely two weeks and ahs already helped them get four points in three matches.
Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva was happy with a point but felt their Tuesday encounter affected their play.
"Yeah, I think looking at the game, it was a vital point because we did not do very well in the match,” Mutiwekuziva said.
“They had better chances than us. I think they really prepared well for the game coming.
“But I would say that the effect of the game that we played on Tuesday might have come to affect us.
“We had less days to recover and at the same time they had more time to prepare. But it's a good point for me, you know, taking it under such situations for me.
“But I want to commend the defence and also the goalkeeper. They did very well. They tried to save the team from the jaws of defeat."
Despite starting the day in 16th place, Triangle United looked like the superior side in a dominant opening period.
They carved open the hosts' defence with ease, missing three clear-cut chances. Paga was the primary protagonist; after just two minutes, he raced through on goal only to blaze his effort over the bar.
After the half-hour mark, Paga again found himself one-on-one with Darlington Murasiranwa, but the Ngezi shot-stopper produced a brilliant save to keep the hosts in the game. On the stroke of halftime, Aaron Zeka and Munyaradzi Mawadza both squandered opportunities to give the visitors a deserved lead in a half they completely controlled.
The hosts returned with more intent, and 12 minutes into the second period, they broke the deadlock via a clinical counter-attack.
Farai Madhanhanga threaded a pass to Tanaka Munemo on the right wing, whose cross found Chirwa. The defender’s header went in off the crossbar to ignite the home crowd.
However, the Sugar Sugar Boys refused to buckle. With 10 minutes remaining, substitute Zhogi silenced the stadium, side-footing a Kelvin Mangiza cross from the left on the volley to restore parity.
The draw sees Ngezi Platinum remain in first place with 15 points from seven games.