FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Report by Fortune Mbele
JOEL “Josta” Ngodzo rose from the bench to give FC Platinum a winner with a long-range drive three minutes before full-time as the hosts collected maximum points from Hwange in a lukewarm Castle Lager Premiership match at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
Ngodzo came in the 57th minute for Charles Sibanda, who was given a torrid time by impressive Hwange central defender David Boriwondo, to change the complexion of the game.
Otherwise the game belonged to Hwange and appeared headed for a stalemate before Ngodzo’s screamer baffled the coal miners goalkeeper Petros Mhari. It was a counter-attack from Platinum goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube and Ngodzo capitalised on a rebound from a clearance to pack a powerful shot to give the hosts victory.
“Scoring from long range is my strength and I was very delighted when I scored that goal after we have been registering draws,” Ngodzo said after the match.
Platinum coach Tendai Chikuni was happy with the three points, but admitted thathad not been their day for a team that had played to draws in the last two games against Chicken Inn and Shabanie Mine. “We were not in the game from the outset. Probably the boys were drained by the derby against Shabanie, but the introduction of Josta made an impact and he got the goal.
“Hwange has always been a tough side for us. It was not easy but we are happy with the win. We still need to push on and go up.”
