Story by Mthokozisi Dube, Sports Reporter
A change of venue failed to separate Highlanders and defending champions Ngezi Platinum after the two sides settled for a one-all draw at Barbourfields Stadium this Sunday.
The Highlanders -Ngezi Platinum match had a bearing on the championship race but a change of venue failed to separate the two teams.
It was the same script in April as the two sides drew one-all and this Sunday at Barbourfields the script was revisited.
Highlanders opened the score sheet through Brighton Ncube who finished off a Nqobile Ndlovu pass.
The visitors made three substitutions in the second half and it was one of them, Claude Mapoka, who netted Ngezi Platinum’s equalizer.
Bosso failed to bury the game after being awarded a penalty, with Melikhaya Ncube’s effort being saved by Nelson Chadya in between the sticks for the visitors.
It was a point apiece for the two sides and advantage to FC Platinum who collected maximum points on Saturday while Simba Bhora dropped points.
Highlanders head coach Kelvin Kaindu is starting to get worried.
“It’s a disappointing result considering that we have been dropping points at home. We need to evaluate and work on the psychological aspect of our players,” he said.
Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi was content with the result.
“We had a pep talk with the boys during half time to say we can score just like they did and we had to do some changes, which worked in our way. We needed pace upfront,” he said.
In other matches, Hwange moved from the foot of the table to sixteenth position after getting the better of Chegutu Pirates one-nil at the Colliery, while Manica Diamonds failed to score for the eighth consecutive match following a nil-all draw with Herentals.
