By Sindiso Dube
CHAMPIONS FC Platinum were handed their first defeat of the season by ambitious Bulawayo Chiefs in match full of drama and controversy at Bulawayo’s Luveve Stadium.
Chiefs opened the lead in the sixth minute from a Mthokozisi Msebe header.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 35th minute when the FC Platinum gaffer Normam Mapeza was shown a red card by Philani Ncube for protesting the referee’s call after Petros Mhari fouled Obriel Chirinda outside the box.
Mhari was cautioned.
After the match, Mapeza said he was unfairly sent off.
“I never said anything to the linesman and the referee, he was far away from where I was. I was asking Petros (Mhari) why he didn’t take the ball away, surprisingly, I got a red card. It’s sad, what the referee did is not good for football,” he said.
About the game, Mapeza said: “We came here to play football and I think there are moments we could have done better. We gave away two soft goals. We have young players. Some it’s their first time playing in the Premier League. We are in the early stages and have played only three games. We will get better.”
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Two minutes into the second half, Chiefs were awarded a penalty after Hugh Chikosa was brought down inside the box.
Chirinda went on to convert the spot kick, registering his first goal for Chiefs after joining the free-spending club from city rivals Chicken Inn.
The match officials were once again at the centre of controversy when Bulawayo Chiefs played for close to three minutes with a man more after Chirinda was substituted, but did not go out in the 72nd minute.
“What’s going on in our football. Chiefs had 12 players in the pitch, the referee is there and the fourth official is there, but it happened. How does that happen?” Mapeza asked.
Bulawayo Chiefs fielded five former FC Platinum players in their new-look squad, who included Kelvin Madzongwe, Perfect Chikwende, Ian Nekati and the Moyo twins of Elvis and Kevin.
Speaking after the match, Chiefs coach Nilson Terrosso showered praises on his newly-assembled team.
“I cant say the win was convincing, we were just winners and we hope to improve, we are still building. It was a difficult game as a whole, but to be honest, the win had nothing to do with me and the technical team, but credit goes to the players. After just under three weeks of preparation and to come and play like this, they deserve a pat on the back,” he said.
Teams:
Bulawayo Chiefs:
D Bizabani, I Nekati, E Moyo, K Madzongwe, H Chikosa (W Mensah, 72), L Ndlela, O Chirinda (B Veremu, 72), M Mkolo, M Msebe (S Ndlovu, 65), K Moyo, P Chikwende
FC Platinum
P Mhari, G Mbweti, W Stima, G Bello, K Mangiza, R Pavari, H Magaya (W Musona, 57), B Banda, P Mutimbanyoka, O Bhebhe (D Teguru, 69), T Ngwenya (A Onifadeh, 80)
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