NGEZI Platinum Stars Coach Tonderai Ndiraya was a disappointed man following his team’s 1-1 draw against Pamplemousse in Mauritius on Sunday.

The Mhondoro miners are making their debut in the tournament after winning Zimbabwe’s Chibuku Super Cup in 2016.

Ndiraya was unhappy with lapses of concentration by his defence and warned they need to improve if they are to leap the first hurdle in their CAF Confederation Cup campaign. 

“I am happy with the shift the boys put in, but we were a bit jittery in defence,” said Ndiraya.

“We can’t afford to commit such mistakes giving the opponent such soft goals like the one we gave today. 

“It’s a worrying trend which I noted even in our friendly matches. 

“But then most of these problems are mental not lack of ability so we will address that.” 

Ngezi were by far the better team of the day but did not create scoring opportunities.                      

Pamplemousse coach Tony Francois knows it will be a very difficult task for his men in the return leg. 

“I am happy we got a draw,” said Francois. “Ngezi is a very good team with a level much higher than us and we know it is going to be very difficult in Zimbabwe.” 

Ndiraya will, however, be happy with the contribution of the former Dynamos duo of Walter Mukanga and Dominic Mukandi who were exceptional in the middle of the park. The duo, on numerous occasions, broke the hosts’ build-up with Mukanga spicing up with brilliant passes across the field.

Captain Liberty Chakoroma playing in an unfamiliar attacking role, gave the visitors the lead with a well taken penalty in the eighth minute after Kelvin Bulaji was fouled in the box.

Pamplemousse then equalised ten minutes before the breather through Jean Fabrini who capitalised on a defensive mix-up by Ngezi. 

Murwira could have restored the visitors’ lead in the 76th minute after a trademark run from deep in his half, but watched in disbelief as his pile drive was pushed out for a corner.

Ndiraya employed a largely defensive approach with the three-man defence of Partson Jaure, Knowledge Machona and Godknows Murwira being shielded by a six man midfield.

Bulaji played as the lone striker.

Terrence Dzukamanja and Maclive Phiri were introduced in the second half in search of a winner. While the substitutes succeeded in adding impetus to the attack they, however, failed where it matters most and will have to fight another day.