Onward Gangata at Chahwanda stadium
HARDROCK twice came from behind to earn a point against Ngezi Platinum Stars in an entertaining four goal thriller at Chahwanda stadium.
It was a game the Kwekwe side could have easily wrapped up in the opening minutes had they been clinical in front of goal.
Washington Navaya and Wilfred Madzungu were the chief culprits for the Kasongo Boys.
Hardrock made a quick fire start to the match bombarding the opponents’ territory with ease.
They created at least three clear cut chances in the opening 15 minutes but their strikers took turns to miss.
Reigning Soccer Star of the year Washington Navaya spurned two chances in a space of five minutes before Wilfred Madzungu took his turn to miss a glorious chance from close range.
Football is a game of chances and seizing moments, after withering the pressure, Ngezi Platinum Stars struck from a counter.
Striker Tinotenda Murasiranwa orchestrated the goal making a spirited runs on the left channel, eliminating two defenders before squaring for Gaki to kill on the 26th minute.
The hosts did not give up easily, they almost made an instant response with Neliswa Dhlamini forcing Ngezi Platinum goalkeeper Darlington Murasiranwa into a finger tip save.
Hardrock came back from the breather with the same energy and verve as they had in the first half.
The Kasongo boys were duly rewarded just before the hour mark when Nyenye bundled the ball home from a set piece.
However, the Kwekwe side were only level for three minutes as Madamburo restored their lead moments after.
Hardrock captain, Diro Nyenye was the villain after his attempted cross field pass gave away possession to the visitors.
Gaki exchanged passes with substitute, Tinotenda Ditima who teed the ball for an unmarked Karengesha who placed the ball beyond the reach of Murasiranwa.
The Kwekwe side would however draw level eight minutes from time with Navaya outpacing the Ngezi defenders to restore parity.
“From the start we knew it was going to be one of our most difficult matches of the season,” said Hardrock coach, Kelvin Kaindu.
“They are a team that haven’t lost this season, they have been picking points away from home and are a proper side.
“The only problem today was that we gave away possession too easily in dangerous areas.”
Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva decried his side’s lack of consistency.
“It is important that we have consistency, we need to work extra hard to win week in week out, that is what I’m crying for the boys to do.”
In Zvishavane FC Platinum and MWOS settled for a 2-2 draw, while TelOne’s season went from bad to worse after losing 1-0 to Caps United.
Simba Bhora suffered their third successive defeat losing 2-1 to Agama at Wadzanayi stadium.
