Ngezi Platinum Stars (1)0
Highlanders (0)1
Champions Ngezi Platinum Stars managed to snatch a point from high-flying Highlanders in an epic clash at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Exciting winger Walter Vuwa thrust the hosts into a two-minute lead before Lynoth Chikuhwa pulled the log leaders Bosso level from the penalty spot early in the second half.
Ngezi Platinum were looking for their first league win over Highlanders since 2018 and it was not to be as the two teams played their fifth draw since then.
Bosso were also looking for their third consecutive league win over the platinum miners, which would have seen them extend their lead on top of the log standings.
The hosts' coach Takesure Chiragwi, whose team has struggled early on their title defence, was happy with a point.
“We played very well to be honest. We did everything correctly,” he said.
- Big send-off for Cont Mhlanga
- Inside sport: The right way to do it
- Highlanders’ away woes continue
- Inside sport: Let’s fight Zim football’s hooliganism menace
Keep Reading
“We defended well, attacked very well, we managed to get an early goal and we tried to contain them because they were coming at us.
“We were also good in terms of our defensive shape, so unfortunately on our way to get the second goal we conceded a penalty 1-1 and we kept on coming because we really wanted to win.
“We missed some chances and we also thought we might have one or two penalties in favour of us, but it wasn’t like that.
“We are happy with the point that we got today.”
Ngezi Platinum Stars did not take long to settle and took the lead in the second minute through Vuwa, who slotted home a Qadr Amini cross from the right.
Highlanders went on to dominate the first half with some slick passing moves as they went in search of an equaliser.
However, the visitors failed to trouble the hosts’ goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.
It was a half that had very little goal-mouth action and the hosts brought in some physicality in the game as they sought to protect their slender lead.
Bosso were quick out of the blocks in the second half with teenage star Prince Ndlovu rattling the crossbar early on.
The Bulawayo giants were rewarded in the 57th minute from the penalty spot after Talent Chamboko handled in the box under pressure and Chikuhwa converted.
After that, the tempo upped a notch with both teams trying to bag maximum points.
Brighton Ncube had a chance in the 89th minute, but failed to beat Chadya before substitute Tapiwa Mandinyenya had a chance to give Ngezi Platinum three points, but dragged his shot wide.
Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu felt the early goal disturbed their rhythm.
“A very difficult game. I think we conceded very early and from that moment we lost focus and I spoke to the guys at half time that this games needs a lot of focus and character,” he said.
“Our character is being tested, but I am happy with the response.
“In the second half I think we came back a bit stronger and we managed to get a goal.”
