×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

FC Platinum maintain perfect start

News
NGEZI PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1 WALTER Musona’s early strike was enough to guide FC Platinum to a win over […]

NGEZI PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1 WALTER Musona’s early strike was enough to guide FC Platinum to a win over Ngezi Platinum at Baobab Stadium yesterday for the Zvishavane-based side to maintain a perfect record after four matches in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

BY HENRY MHARA

The winger struck four minutes into the match as the Norman Mapeza-coached side continues to set the benchmark in the top-flight returning to the summit and pushing Caps United into second position.

FC Platinum held on to claim the precious three points despite playing the last 15 minutes a man down after midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku was dismissed for a reckless stamp on Ngezi’s Terrence Dzukamanja.

That was the only blemish to an otherwise perfect afternoon.

FC Platinum now have 12 points, two clear of the Green Machine, while Ngezi have four points from four games.

Mapeza said he wants his team to remain grounded and not get carried away with the good start.

“It wasn’t an easy match, but we applied ourselves well. The most important thing is we managed to collect maximum points,” Mapeza said.

“I am proud of the boys, but we need to keep working hard. We need to keep the momentum and get the points as much as possible,” he added.

Ngezi coach Ciffton Kadurira bemoaned the lack of a cutting edge from his team who created numerous chances especially in the second half.

It was the team’s second successive defeat following their 2-0 loss away to Hwange last week.

“I’m disappointed with the final result because I thought we played better and deserved more. We created good chances which we should have put away. We will continue to work in that area and hopefully we will do better next time,” he said.

The away side got an ideal start to the early kickoff match when Musona took advantage of some slack marking by the home side defence to beat Blessing Mwandimutsira with a low shot.

The goal jolted the home side out of their shells as they started to move the ball quickly in advanced positions with Dzukamanja having a good game.

However, for all their possession, their best chance came after 23 minutes when a long clearance from Mwandimutsira released Washington Pakamisa at the other end of the field, but the former Dynamos striker shot wildly over.

Dzukamanja dragged his shot wide moments later from a good range.

FC Platinum slowed down their tempo with some slow build-ups from the back, but they were still dangerous going forward and Musona should have done better on 43 minutes when he was set up by Masuku, but his shot was weak.

It was the home side who began the second half wih more hunger, Jeffrey Takunda hitting the side netting just after the restart.

But the best chance would come to substitute Donald Teguru who found himself unmarked on the blind side from a cross, but the winger took his time and by the time he released his shot, the defenders had recovered to block the effort.

Mwandimutsira had largely been inactive in the match, but when he was finally called into action, he did brilliantly to come out of his line to thwart Marshall Mudehwe, who had been sent clean through by a Tarisai Rukanda pass.

Teams; Ngezi Platinum: B Mwandimutsira, K Mureva, T Petros, L Chakoroma, K Machona, J Marufu, J Takunda, T Dzukamanja, J Ngulube (D Teguru, 58′), W Pakamisa (E Katema, 46′), T Mabvura (Z Mhanda, 77′) FC Platinum: P Mhari, G Bello, I Nekati, K Moyo, E Moyo, W Mhango, T Dzumbunu (G Takwara, 73′), N Masuku, W Musona, H Bakacheza (T Mudehwe, 56′), O Chirwa (T Rukanda, 40′)