HARARE – Ngezi Platinum has etched its name into the annals of Zimbabwean football history by securing its first-ever premier league title with two games to spare.
The historic victory unfolded in a Castle Lager Premier League Match Day 32 showdown, where Ngezi Platinum triumphed over Simba Bhora with a 2-1 scoreline at Baobab on Saturday, reaching an unassailable 63 points.
The journey to clinch the championship was marked by determination and resilience, as Simba Bhora took the lead with a 39th-minute strike by Tinashe Balakasi.
Undeterred, Ngezi Platinum rallied and equalized through a penalty converted by defender Kudzai Chigwida in the 63rd minute.
The triumphant moment came a minute before full time when Takunda Benhura‘s decisive strike secured the three points needed to secure the historic championship.
Amid the celebratory atmosphere at Baobab, fans and players alike broke into song, commemorating the remarkable achievement.
The victory not only marks Ngezi Platinum’s ascent to the summit of Zimbabwean football but also positions them alongside football counterparts FC Platinum as teams residing outside Harare and Bulawayo to claim the coveted premier league title.
Coach Takesure Chiragwi‘s squad displayed sheer dominance, and the win against Simba Bhora was not merely a show of prowess but a display of the team’s ability to clinch the title even with a draw.
The victory was confirmed after second-placed Manica Diamonds failed to secure a win against Cranborne Bullets at the National Sports Stadium.
While jubilation echoed through the Ngezi Platinum camp, a contrasting narrative unfolded for Cranborne Bullets, who confirmed their relegation to the lower tiers of domestic football.
With 27 points and a goalless draw against Manica Diamonds, Cranborne Bullets, despite having two games remaining, cannot escape relegation, marking the end of their premier league campaign.
In another Match Day 32 fixture, Sheasham and ZPC Kariba played to a 2-2 draw at Bata, adding another layer of intrigue to the league’s final stages.
Ngezi Platinum’s historic triumph adds a new chapter to Zimbabwean football and sets the stage for continued excitement in the seasons to come.
![FILE: Tawanda Maswanhise celebrates after scoring for Motherwell FC in the Scottish Premiership match against Rangers FC on Sunday 29th December 2024. [Picture by: Raymond Davies Photography]](https://rosgwen24.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-5-768x768.jpeg "Maswanhise comes to the party, ref spoils the battle 4")
