HWANGE . . . . . . . . (0) 0 FC PLATINUM . . . . .(0) 1 CONWELL MUCHAVURAWA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
FC PLATINUM sealed their place in the Mbada Diamonds Cup after producing a splendid and excellent display of football to subdue Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at the Colliery yesterday.
FC Platinum got their only goal through Walter Musona in the 50th minute when he headed in from an Elvis Moyo corner kick.
The goal ejected the travelling FC Platinum fans from their sets.
The fans were eagerly waiting for such a moment as FC Platinum had controlled the entire first half, but missed a glut of chances to repay their travelling fans.
Coach Norman Mapeza was elated with the result.
“I am happy for my charges for collecting maximum points from Hwange as we had hoped to come and get at least a draw”, said Mapeza.
“We knew Hwange would come hard on us and we pressed them hard so as to stop them from playing flowing soccer. Fortunately our plan worked out well and we are now left to concentrate on the Mbada Diamonds Cup since we have reached the top four,” he said.
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Hwange coach Nation Dube blamed his defence for conceding a silly goal.
“I am not happy with my defenders for that silly goal which they failed to clear, we could have managed to defend that goal had we been vigilant in the box,” said Dube. “The referees’ inconsistencies were also to blame as we missed regular players through suspensions” lamented Dube.
Hwange woke up from the slumber soon after the goal as they raided the Platinum goal in a counter attack that saw Tonisani Sibelo overlapping from the right back position and crossing a tantalising cross which was completely missed by Nkosana Siwela.
Petros Mhari came to FC Platinum’s rescue as he dived to his right to block a Sibelo goal bound shot for the corner.
Platinum lost Elvis Moyo through injury and Qadr Amin took his place, only to come under pressure from Evans Rusike and Tafara Chese on the left flank.
Hwange then brought in veteran midfielder Farai Vimisai for Siwela to add depth in attack. Vimisai changed the complexion of the game as Hwange started dominating play which forced Platinum to use counter attacks.
The move almost paid for Mapeza’s men as Musona dribbled past a couple of Hwange defenders and fed Donald Ngoma, whose shot missed the target by inches.
FC Platinum started dominating play again using the right flank where Musona was lively having the better of Pritchard Mpelele for Hwange.
