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Eddie Chikamhi

Senior Sports Reporter

NGEZI Platinum Stars’ recent run of good form is set to come under the spotlight when they face giants Dynamos in a Castle League Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday. 

The Mhondoro-based side have recovered most of the lost ground in the race ever since new coach Takesure Chiragwi took the reins to replace his former boss Benjani Mwaruwari on an interim basis. 

With three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five matches, Chiragwi’s side have done fairly well to position themselves for a strong finish. 

They are also bubbling on the back of two straight wins in their last two outings after shocking title contenders Chicken Inn with a 2-1 win at Luveve before accounting for Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 at home. 

The team returns to Harare this weekend for the first time since the 0-1 defeat to Yadah at the National Sports Stadium, which eventually cost Mwaruwari his job back in July. 

Apparently Chiragwi has been given the mandate to complete the current Castle Lager Premiership season, with the club executive using the period to assess him for a substantive role. 

“Obviously, as coach you find satisfaction when you win games because our job is results-oriented. But we still have a long way to go. What is important is to maintain focus because the games will be coming thick and fast,” said Chiragwi. 

The former CAPS United defender also gave credit to his former colleague Mwaruwari. 

“I don’t think there is anything out of this world that we have done. We have just been building on the most of the things that we worked together with Benjani, so we also have to give him the credit and the respect that he deserves. 

“These are the results of the hard work that we have been putting together as a team. What is important now is to make sure that we end the season in a strong manner,” said Chiragwi. 

But this is not the first time that he has taken charge of the side this year on interim basis. Chiragwi, who has considerable experience coaching in the Premiership, was earlier this year assigned to take charge of the team following the departure of Rodwell Dhlakama and had a decent run. 

He has also not disappointed on his second stint, getting 11 points from a possible 15. Despite getting booted out of the Chibuku Super Cup at the hands of Herentals, the club has kept their spirits up with wins against Triangle, Chicken Inn and Chiefs and drawing against runaway log leaders FC Platinum. 

Chiragwi’s only defeat was the 0-1 upset by newboys Cranborne Bullets at Vengere, which is a difficult venue for many vising teams. 

Ngezi Platinum have featured in some exciting duels with Dynamos since their promotion to the topflight league a few years back. 

There have also been a lot of player movements between the teams and they will not be total strangers when the two sets of players troop on the pitch on Sunday.

The clash comes at a time when DeMbare have sights on the league title, despite going eight points behind log leaders FC Platinum in the race. Dynamos are unbeaten in their last seven games. Ironically, just like Ngezi Platinum Stars, their last defeat came against Cranborne Bullets.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba v Black Rhinos (Nyamhunga, 1pm), Cranborne Bullets v Highlanders (Vengere), FC Platinum v Bulawayo City (Mandava), Yadah v CAPS Utd ((NSS), Chicken Inn v Whawha (Luveve), Tenax v Harare City (Sakubva)

Sunday: Dynamos v Ngezi Platinum Stars (NSS), Bulawayo Chiefs v Manica Diamonds (Luveve), Triangle v Herentals (Gibbo)