FC PLATINUM title aspirations were yesterday dealt a major blow after succumbing to 2-1 defeat by Triangle in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Gibbo Stadium.
KENNETH NYANGANI IN CHIREDZI
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . (1)2 FC Platinum . . . . . . . .(0)1
The win for the hosts also helped them to, at least, move from the relegation jigsaw.
The Gishon Ntini-coached side scored through their skipper Limited Chikafa in the 11th minute and Walter Mukanda in the 59th minute, while the visitors replied through Mitchell Katsvairo in the 64th minute.
Lloyd Mutasa said he was happy with his side performance, but added that the championship was not in their destiny.
“Like I said before, the championships race is not in our destiny. It depends on other teams, how they played in their last five games. As an institution, we just need to collect maximum points,” he said.
“I think the team played well, but we failed to execute our chances and its part of football,’’ he added.
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His counterpart, Ntini, said he was happy for collecting maximum points at home.
“Naturally, I am happy with the attitude that was shown by the Tongaart Hullet management, they ensured that there is now adequate security and this helped us a lot,” he said
The match started on a fast pace with both sides exchanging fierce blows as early as the first minute, Chikafa found Mischeck Mburayi on the right who passed the ball to exciting midfielder in the box Pasca Manhanga who shot over the bar.
In the seventh minute, Triangle’s defender Brian Juwayeyi fouled Daniel Vheremu outside his box, Marshal Mudehwe resultant cross fail into the path of Mitchell Katsvairo who shot wider.
After 11 minutes, the hosts’ defender Chastern Ngondonga’s long clearance fell into the path of Misheck Mburayi who shook off the visitors right-back Raphael Muduviwa before whipping a cross that was blasted home by Chikafa to beat Francis Tizayi in goal for FC Platinum.
In the 45th minute, Triangle’s goalkeeper Brighton Chipula tipped the ball over the bar after Marshal Mudehwe shot just from the outside the box for a corner kick.
In the second half, Walter Mukanda scored a spectacular goal in the 59th minute with rasping shot that beat Tizayi to send the home side into frency.
FC Platinum ensured a tense finish of the match after Katsvairo’s header in the box after benefiting from Charles Sibanda cross in the 64th minute.
Maziwisa could had equalised in the 84th minute from a close, but goalkeeper Chipula was equal to the task with an acrobatic save
