NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . . . . (0) 2
TELONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
DEFENDING league champions Ngezi Platinum Stars got back to winning ways with a battling home victory over TelOne to ease pressure on coach Takesure Chiragwi at Baobab yesterday.
Despite being largely frustrated in the first half by the visitors, Madamburo struck twice early in the second half.
Two headed goals from defender Polite Moyo on 52 minutes and Tapiwa Mandinyenya on the hour mark helped the Mhondoro-based side dispel memories of last week's defeat away at Simba Bhora.
Chiragwi was delighted by his side's response.
"It's a very important win for us to be honest," a relieved Chiragwi said.
"We really need to thank God for that. Today we didn't play our usual game especially in the first half. It was difficult to play but we managed to grind out a result, which is good for us. Today we managed to get two goals so I'm satisfied. More importantly, this win gives us a lot of confidence going into our next match, a derby against Chegutu Pirates."
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As a result, the defending champions have moved into the top half of the table in ninth position with 15 points, while TelOne dropped into the relegation zone to 16th position with 11 points.
TelOne new coach Hebert Maruwa who joined the team on Thursday following the sacking of Tendai Chikuni, watched from the stands and he would be the first to admit the big job that lies ahead of him.
Interim coach Chasten Ngondonga who was holding fort for Maruwa in this match, bemoaned lack of concentration from his players in the second half.
"A bad day in the office for us, it was a game of two halves. In the first half we played according to our plan and managed to contain Ngezi. That is why we went to halftime nil-all. But in the second half, our defense went to sleep and went on to concede soft goals. Maybe it's because of inexperience by our defenders. We need to work hard and start picking up points," Ngondonga added.
Results
ZPC Kariba 1-1 Highlanders
FC Platinum 3-1 Hwange
Ngezi Platinum 2-0 TelOne
Herentals 2-0 Bulawayo Chiefs
Bikita Minerals 2-1 Chegutu
Arenel 0-2 Yadah
