FC Platinum . . . . . (2) 2 Caps United . . . . .(2) 2 FC PLATINUM once again failed to beat Caps United in a league match since being promoted into top-flight football in 2011, after they were held to a draw in an exciting match at Mandava stadium yesterday.
REPORT BY SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The two sides have met seven times in the league and Caps United have won four with the other matches ending in draws.
FC Platinum got their goals through a 13th minute penalty by Charles Sibanda and a 44th minute strike by Donald Ngoma.
Caps United replied through captain Tapiwa Kumbuyani and Rahman Kutsanzira in the 40th and 42nd minutes respectively.
Lloyd Mutasa, the FC Platinum coach, was charmed by his team’s performance, but complained the two goals his team conceded was due to lack of concentration by his defenders.
“It was a good game which I think we played well. I think the lads are failing to deal with the dominance Caps United have enjoyed over us. We played well and knocked the ball around with confidence, but the two silly goals we conceded made the difference,” said Mutasa, who has only won one match since joining the Zvishavane side.
His Caps United counterpart Taurai Mangwiro was happy with snatching a draw away from home and applauded his charges for maintaining their unbeaten run. They have not lost in nine matches.
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“It’s good we came here and forced a draw. We did not play our actual game and lacked rhythm, but I am happy that we managed to get a point and managed to maintain our unbeaten run,”
FC Platinum surged ahead in the 13th minute when the referee awarded them a penalty after Caps United defender Anorld Chiveya had handled in the box in an attempt to clear an Obrey Chirwa’s shot. Sibanda stepped up and coolly converted from the spot sending his former teammate Tafadzwa Dube the wrong way. After the goal, Caps upped their game searching for an equaliser and were dully rewarded in the 40th minute when Kumbuyani struck with a first-time shot from just outside the box after being set up by Ronald Pfumbidzai from a free-kick.
The former Cup Kings took the lead two minutes later through speedy winger Kutsanzira whose flashing header from a Tawanda Nyamandwe cross beat Petros Mhari in goals for FC Platinum.
Caps United’s lead, however, lasted just two minutes after Ngoma levelled the score line for the home side in the 44th minute finding the net with a spectacular overhead kick.
The second half was bereft of any meaningful action as both coaches were seemingly content with a draw.
