Football
Simba Mushati, Special to ESPN 6y

Ngezi down Bosso, CAPS win seven-goal thriller

Forward Terence Dzukamanja's brilliant late strike proved the difference as Ngezi Platinum edged Highlanders 1-0 in a top-of-the-table clash in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League on Saturday.

The match, pitting the two remaining unbeaten sides in the league heading into matchday 8, produced some entertaining moments early on, but it was not until nine minutes from time that Ngezi found the breakthrough as Dzukamanja slammed home his third of the campaign.

Remarkably, it was a seventh win in eight matches for Ngezi, who retained their three-point lead at the top of the standings at least until the midweek fixtures, when they visit bottom-side ZPC Kariba.

Ngezi have now beaten three of the five teams considered genuine title contenders at the start of the season, with Highlanders, Dynamos and Chicken Inn all having fallen by identical 1-0 scorelines at the Baobab Stadium.

Champions FC Platinum meanwhile recovered their poise to beat Mutare City 1-0 and climb into second position ahead of Highlanders on goal difference.

It was still a difficult afternoon for Platinum, who had to wait until Rodwell Chinyengetere's 87th-minute effort to be certain of all three points at the newly promoted side.

The Zvishavane-based Miners suffered a surprise 2-0 loss to Bulawayo Chiefs last week.

There were fireworks in Gweru, as CAPS twice came from behind to pip Nichrut 4-3 and climb into fourth-place at the expense of faltering Chicken Inn.

Tatenda Hapazari put Nichrut ahead on 13 minutes, only for hat-trick hero Simba Nhivi to equalise seven minutes later.

The home side's Gerald Bhero and Shepherd Sithole then scored either side of the break to open up a 3-1 lead but any hopes of a famous win were shattered late on as Nhivi reduced the arrears just before the hour-mark.

Bruce Gurure then converted past his own goalkeeper for CAPS' equaliser and it was left to Nhivi to complete his hat-trick with a late winner which torched violent disturbances on the terraces as Nichrut fans rioted.

In Bulawayo, Chicken Inn went four matches without a win after a 1-1 draw at home to Yadah FC.

Midfielder Innocent Mucheneka put the 2015 champions ahead on 74 minutes but Yadah salvaged a point after Ralph Matema converted from the spot moments before the final whistle.

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