MOTOR ACTION. . . .. . . 0 FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . 0
By Henry Mhara
IF THERE is anything that could have gone wrong for FC Platinum, it has.
Four points from a possible 18, the well-resourced Zvishavane- based side has hit hard times.
Their woeful run continued yesterday after they were held to a goalless draw by an equally struggling Motor Action at Motor Action Sports Club.
Caretaker coach Tendai Chikuni, who took over from Tenant Chilumba who resigned last week, admitted all is not well at the club.
“It’s a very disappointing spell for us. It’s even more worrying when other teams continue to get maximum points. We are losing ground on the title race,” Chikuni said after yesterday’s drab draw. Having slipped to fifth position with 23 points, this is one match FC Platinum were hard-pressed to win.
However, they struggled to settle in the opening minutes of the game yesterday, with simple passes going astray.
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Some dozy defending early almost opened the doors for the spirited Mighty Bulls, but Misheck Mburayi’s shot from inside the box swerved horribly wide.
The same player would release another rocket minutes later, but Daniel Vheremu blocked the effort. That set a pattern for the game. FC Platinum were relying on counter attacks. One of them saw Charles Sibanda releasing Nelson Mazivisa but the striker’s tame shot rolled straight at Marlon Jani’s hands.
The visitors continued to carry a threat on the counter, Joel Ngodzo’s swerving shot blocked by Jani, and Sibanda followed it up to tap the ball home, but the flag was up for an offside.
If the offside decision had riled the FC Platinum, they were even angrier late in the match when substitute Michelle Katsvairo went down in a challenge inside the box, but referee Pedzisai Chadya booked the former Gunners striker for simulation.
Moments earlier, Mazivisa had failed to bundle the ball home after a scramble in the box.
Motor Action, who are third from the bottom with 13 points, had the best chance of the match in the second half, but Mburayi directed his header wide when left unmarked inside the box. When the same opportunity came begging minutes later, the former Highlanders man aimed his header at FC Platinum keeper Francis Tizai.
And when Chadya blew to end the match, FC Platinum officials mobbed the referee, but the police were at hand to calm the situation.
