FC PLATINUM continued their dominance over Shabanie Mine with a 2-0 win in the CG Msipa Charity football match played at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
REPORT BY EPHRAIM SHOKO
Platinum cruised to victory via two goals in each half from Ali Sadiki’s bicycle kick after connecting a cross from Charles Sibanda (45th min) and second half substitute Joel Ngodzo (83rd min) to lift their first silverware of the year and their third in their three-year flirtation with the Premier Soccer League.
Pure Platinum Play walked away with $10 000 while the Chinda Boys took home $5000. This was also Zambian coach Tennant Chilumba’s first silverware since he arrived in Zimbabwe for Hwange three years ago.
He missed last year’s Bob88 Super Cup after losing 2-0 to Platinum in the final at Rufaro. Shabanie goalkeeper Roy Mazingi was named man of the match and received $100 from Gweru businessman Enos Size.
Platinum assistant coach Tendai Chikuni was impressed by his team’s performance. He expressed concern with his right wingback who struggled to contain Shabanie Mine newboy Valentine Ndaba.
“It was an interesting match in which we dominated but I was rather worried by the defence on the right side where Valentine Ndaba was causing problems in early stages of the match but we managed to contain him as the match progressed.
“I am happy with the overall organisation of the team and the fact that, we did not concede in this match. It shows we are going somewhere with our preparations” Platinum fielded new acquisitions Petros Mhari and twins Elvis and Kelvin Moyo that started the match before Ian Nekati and Nelson Maziwisa, who returned from Shabanie Mine, while the former asbestos miners had Ndaba, Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe, Fungai Chirinda, Rodney Matshiya and Mlungisi Ndllovu.
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Shabanie coach Arnold Jani said: “I am pleased with the way the team played considering that this is our first serious match. It was a good day, we played very well, but the guys are not yet fully fit, but they showed some positive signs.
“We assembled late, but we home the team will start to gel as we play more preparatory matches.”
