Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Benjani Mwaruwari has expressed satisfaction at his team’s defensive record since he took over the reins following a fourth clean sheet in seven matches against Manica Diamonds on Saturday.
In an entertaining league match, the former Warriors captain’s team put up a gallant defensive show to share the spoils with the Mutare-based side.
Ngezi Platinum Stars have only conceded just three goals under Mwaruwari’s watch and boast of the third-best defence having leaked eight goals in 16 matches.
Only Dynamos (six) and FC Platinum (seven) have conceded fewer goals in the league so far.
“The defence has been brilliant for us. I think we have conceded only three out of seven matches and the other two are penalties, so that shows you that we are solid defence-wise,” the former Manchester City striker said.
Mwaruwari admitted that the team has lacked in the goal-scoring department and is hoping for a change of fortune in the coming games.
“We scored four in the last game (against Tenax) but today we were still short upfront in terms of getting some goals but we will work on that in the next game. As a coach and as players we have to be working so hard and try and improve where we are not doing great,” he said.
‘The Undertaker’ as he was affectionately known during his playing days was also pleased with the exciting teenage striker Tinotenda Murasiranwa, plucked from the Under-19 team by Benjani himself, who has been impressive for the club in the last few games.
“He is looking bright. He has had four starts and scored two goals I think it’s good but we have to polish him more so that he can score more,” Benjani said.
Ngezi Platinum are currently sitting in sixth place with 25 points, seven points behind log leaders Chicken Inn, a match before the season reaches the halfway stage.
The Mhondoro-Ngezi-based team travel to Gweru this weekend for a date with WhaWha.
Matchday 17 Fixtures
Friday: Yadah FC vs Bulawayo Chiefs (NSS, 3 pm)
Saturday: Herentals College FC vs ZPC Kariba FC (NSS, 3pm), Bulawayo City FC vs Black Rhinos FC (Barbourfields, 3 pm), Cranborne Bullets FC vs FC Platinum (Sakubva, 3 pm)
Sunday: Caps United FC vs Dynamos FC (NSS, 3 pm), Highlanders FC vs Harare City FC (Barbourfields, 3 pm), Manica Diamonds FC vs Tenax CS FC (Sakubva, 3 pm), Triangle United FC vs Chicken Inn FC (Gibbo 3 pm), Whawha FC vs Ngezi Platinum Stars FC (Ascot 3 pm)