NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . . . . (3)5
ZPC KARIBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)1
IT was a good day in the office for Ngezi Platinum Stars after they scored five past a hapless ZPC Kariba and moved to the top of the log standings, for at least a night at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
After kicking off the season with four consecutive draws, the Mhondoro-Ngezi-based side have now won three in a row and remain unbeaten in the campaign after seven matches.
Walter Vuwa scored a goal in each half with other goals coming from Nigel Makumbe, Takunda Benhura, and Leslie Kashitigu.
ZPC got a consolation goal from Leeroy Murape.
Ngezi Platinum coach Takesure Chiragwi was pleased with the performance.
"I think we had a good day in the office. It's good playing at home and this is our first win here. I think it's a massive win for us. I am happy with the boys and the way we played. We really wanted to win, our gameplan was to win the game in the first 15 minutes," he said
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The hosts nosed ahead in just the second minute of the match from a brilliant setpiece by Makumbe.
The early lead seemed to have spurred on the hosts as they created an avalanche of chances and it was no surprise when they doubled the lead halfway through the first half.
Vuwa produced a piece of individual brilliance, creating space before beating an out-of-sorts Tatenda Munditi from outside the box.
Barely six minutes later Takunda Benhura headed home a third after getting to the end of captain Qadr Amini's cross.
The visitors, who had been playing well in the first half but lacking bite up-front, pulled one back through a headed goal by Leeroy Murape from a Kuzivakwashe Madima cross to keep the match alive.
Ngezi Platinum continued on the offensive after the breather and were rewarded on the hour mark. Leslie Kashitigu scored a scorcher finding the top corner from just outside the center circle.
The goal summed up a miserable afternoon for ZPC Kariba goalminder Munditi.
Vuwa reproduced the goal he scored in the first half only this time he finished with the left foot to complete his brace in the 67th minute.
ZPC were forced to pull out Munditi for Tapiwa Chilenga.
The visitors did not put up much of a fight in the second half and their coach Darlington Dodo felt fatigue affected the team due to playing all matches away from home.
"We gave away soft goals, but the main thing I am observing with my boys is that fatigue has crept in and it's tough for them now. We travel a lot, right now we are going to Kariba, next week we are going to Chiredzi. If you look at the distances, the times we train, the recovery period, it's taxing," he said.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results and fixtures
Today: Caps United v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium), Highlanders v Hwange (Barbourfields), Triangle v Chicken Inn (Gibbo), Cranborne Bullets v Sheasham (Baobab)
Tomorrow: Herentals v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium)
Yesterday: Manica Diamonds 4-0 Black Rhinos, Ngezi Platinum 5-1 ZPC Kariba, Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 Yadah
