FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 2 Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Report by Fortune Mbele in Zvishavane
A 10-men FC Platinum subdued a determined Chicken Inn to maintain a stranglehold at the apex of the log-table in an exciting Castle Lager Premiership match at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
The Zvishavane-based outfit are now on 12 points from four matches and have scored 10 goals, conceding four, while Chicken Inn missed the chance to go on top.
They remained on third place with seven points from four games.
FC Platinum attacking midfielder Mitchelle Katsvairo saw red in the 26th minute after a crude foul on Chicken Inn linkman Brian Juru near the centre-line and a no-nonsense referee Rugara Kusosa showed him the shower room.
The hosts went ahead two minutes into the game after Chicken Inn centre-back Zephania Ngodzo blundered on a clearance and an alert Charles Sibanda capitalised on the fluff, dribbled past goalkeeper Liberty Chirava before pushing the ball into an empty net.
The second goal was a beautiful curler from a set-piece by Ali Sadiki in the 56th minute after scorer Sibanda was hacked down from about 30 metres from the goal line and the enterprising Sadiki outstretched Chirava. Chicken Inn came back into the game in the second half with the introduction of 2012 Castle Lager Soccer
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Star of the Year finalist Kudakwashe Mahachi, who was brought down inside the penalty box a minute before fulltime and Kusosa pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Tendai Ndoro to convert the spot-kick to increase his tally to three goals in four matches.
FC Platinum head coach Tenant Chilumba said: “We just have to be on top of every team. We defended well after one man had been pulled out. The concentration by the boys is marvellous and we hope to continue with the same performance. To win the league at the end of the season will be a bonus.”
Chicken Inn gaffer Mandla Mpofu was disappointed with the defeat and said they will be going back to the drawing board.
