The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum Stars seemed to be running away with the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title when they went for 14 matches unbeaten, only for the Tonderai Ndiraya coached team to head into the season’s break with three losses in a row.
Madamburo had a brilliant start to the season, as they won 12 of the 14 matches with the only time they failed to pick up maximum points being twice when they drew. Things have, however, not been rosy for Ndiraya and his lads as they lost three matches on the trot, which has seen them losing their top spot to FC Platinum. Norman Mapeza’s men are on 44 points, six ahead of Ndiraya’s lads who have so far amassed 38.
It was Bulawayo Chiefs who ended Ngezi’s unbeaten run with a 1-0 triumph at Luveve Stadium on 3 June. Ngezi had two players, Clive Augusto and Xolisani Moyo sent off against Bulawayo Chiefs while goalkeeper Donovan Bernard was also booked in that match, with the three being ruled out for the next encounter against FC Platinum. Six days later, FC Platinum broke the hearts of the Ngezi fans at Baobab with a come from behind 2-1 triumph and more misery followed for Ndiraya last Sunday when Ngezi were beaten 2-1 by Black Rhinos in Harare.
Ndiraya feels his players gave it all in the 14 matches and were aware that exhaustion would play a part as the season went on with injury to some key players.
“The team gave everything in the 14 matches and we knew fatigue was going to catch up with some of our key players. We were managing well until the 15th match against Bulawayo Chiefs when we lost our key players as well through suspensions.
We lost players through injuries and we were left with a thin squad to navigate through the last three matches,’’ Ndiraya said.
With the league now on a break and only resuming in early July, Ndiraya has welcomed the break and vowed to come back geared up for the huge challenge.
“We are thankful that the break will give our team time to recharge and be rest assured they will come back refreshed and ready to challenge for the league in a seemingly exciting second half of the season,’’ he said.
Ndiraya is looking to bolster his squad when the transfer window opens at the beginning of July but has emphasised that this will depend on the quality of players available on the market.
“We want to certainly add one or two players but it depends on the quality on the market,’’ Ndiraya said.
The second half of the season, which resumes during the second weekend on July certainly promises to be exciting with FC
Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars leading the race for the title. Chicken Inn, Caps United, Triangle United, Highlanders and Harare City are still in the race but it yet to be seen for how long they will maintain the pressure on the top two.
@Mdawini_29
