Ngezi Platinum Stars ...(2)3
Chicken Inn ................(1)2
A dramatic, late header from substitute Orlando Zvavarevi secured a thrilling 3-2 victory for Ngezi Platinum Stars over Chicken Inn, snapping Madamburo's two-game winless streak in an absolute Castle Lager Premier Soccer League classic at Baobab Stadium.
With the victory, Ngezi Platinum Stars moved into third place on the log standings with 36 points, while Chicken Inn's defensive woes saw them slip further down to 12th position.
The match kicked-off at a frantic pace, but it was the visitors who stunned the Baobab crowd into silence just eight minutes in.
Michael Charamba gave Chicken Inn a dream start, rolling the ball into an empty net after Ngezi goalkeeper Tatenda Chikowero spilled a fierce shot from Innocent Musiiwa, who had been teed up by a driving run from George Majika.
Ngezi responded with immediate pressure.
Chicken Inn shot-stopper Donovan Bernard produced back-to-back brilliant saves, first denying Marvelous Mukumba from point-blank range after 15 minutes, and moments later thwarting Malvin Kwinjo.
The hosts finally broke through in the 28th minute when Polite Moyo reacted quickest to sweep home a loose ball during a chaotic goalmouth scramble.
The pendulum swung both ways as Chikowero showed sharp reflexes to deny Majika from a tight angle, but it was Ngezi who took the lead with the final kick of the half.
Nisbert Muzenda flighted a beautiful corner kick that was expertly glanced home by McDonald Eddisone, sending the hosts into the break with a -2-1 advantage.
Chicken Inn emerged for the second half on the front foot but initially struggled to create clear-cut openings.
They were nearly punished for a defensive blunder early in the half, but Tanaka Munemo blazed his effort over the bar with only Bernard to beat.
The visitors' persistence paid off in the 72nd minute.
Cameroonian substitute Ngnowa Hapmo rose highest to head home an Itai Mabhunu cross, bringing Chicken Inn level.
However, the joy was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Ngezi Platinum Stars hit back with what proved to be the winner.
A well-worked move found fellow substitute Orlando Zvavarevi, who headed home to send the home fans into raptures.
Ngezi Platinum Stars Coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva was delighted with the spirit of his team coming from a goal down to win the game.
"An exciting game against Chicken Inn. It was end-to-end. Five goals in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is too much because teams don't score that many goals,” Mutiwekuziva said.
“It was not one of the best starts for us, but I liked the fighting spirit that the team had to get the equalizer and the lead before the halftime mark.
“When they got the equaliser in the second half, we did not give up. We kept on piling pressure so that we can get the winner."
His counterpart Tonderai Ndiraya expressed his disappointment after conceding what he termed soft goals.
"Yeah, it was a very interesting match... But I'm a little bit disappointed by the way we are conceding. We are conceding what I can probably term soft goals. And it's unlike us,” Ndiraya said. “Last weekend we conceded two goals, and then today we conceded three. So, the rate at which we are conceding is a bit worrying."
Team Lineups
Ngezi Platinum Stars: T. Chikowero, G. Chirwa, L. Kashitigu, P. Moyo, F. Madhanhanga, B. Katumba, M. Mukumba, N. Muzenda (S. Mugariri 71'), M. Kwinjo (T. Mavhudzi 63'), T. Munemo (B. Mashonganyika 84'), M. Eddisone (O. Zvavarevi 71').
Chicken Inn: D. Bernard, M. Bhebhe, S.L. Ngongo, F. Tsinakwadi, M. Charamba, I. Mabhunu, G. Hute (R. Katinji 60'), T. Joseph, G. Majika (L. Chikuhwa 89'), I. Masiiwa, J. Makunike (M. Hapmo 49').