FC PLATINUM...........(1)1
NGEZI PLATINUM.....(0)0
FC Platinum fought their way back in contention for the league title after beating log leaders Ngezi Platinum in a pulsating tie at Mandava stadium yesterday.
Jarrison Selemani's second minute strike was all the defending champions, FC Platinum, needed to rekindle their hopes of a record-breaking fifth title.
With eight games remaining, Pure Platinum Play leaped to second position on the log standings with 46 points, five points behind Ngezi Platinum.
They benefited from Highlanders 3-0 defeat at the hands of Simba Bhora with Manica Diamonds also slipping after a 1-1 draw with Chicken Inn.
And coach Norman Mapeza was on cloud nine after seeing his team slowly claw back into contention for the championship.
"My biggest worry was fatigue, especially after that game against Manica Diamonds. The temperatures were very hot, but the guys managed to come up well. After we got that early goal it gave us something to work on in terms of defending,” he said.
“This result is very significant, it's a massive result. We are not concentrating much on one game. We had Highlanders ahead of us on the log, but for us what is important is to keep grinding results and remain focused, taking each game as it comes."
As expected, the match had an explosive start, with FC Platinum quick to show their intentions to win this one.
They immediately struck in the second minute through Selemani who tapped the ball home from a curling free-kick that was whipped from the left flank by Nomore Chinyerere.
It was a see-saw affair from then, with both teams displaying some exciting passing game.
Ellson Mweha got Ngezi Platinum's first shot after five minutes, but goalie Wallace Magalane was equal to the task.
FC Platinum could have doubled the score on the stroke of half-time, but Selemani’s shot from close range was blocked by Chigwida.
Madamburo kept piling pressure in the second half but a goal remained elusive.
In the 76th minute Ngezi survived Brian Banda's first time shot on target which was repelled by Nelson Chadya, who also denied Panashe Mutimbanyoka on the rebound.
"You can't complain if you lose this way. We thank God for giving us such strength. "We failed to defend the free kick and they capitalized on that," Ngezi Platinum gaffer Takesure Chiragwi said.
"We tried to do everything to come back but it didn't work out. To be honest, this is the best game we played this season, we lost but the boys did well to fight."
TEAMS
FC PLATINUM: W Magalane, G Mbweti, G Bello, L Mhlanga, N Chinyerere, R Pavari, J Mutudza, B Banda, J Selemani(P Mutimbanyoka 72') W Musona, T Ngwenya(P Chikwende 82')
NGEZI PLATINUM: N Chadya, K Chigwida, P Moyo, E Mweha( M Makuwe 69) , T Benhura(V Kadonzvo 46'), G Madhake, M Mukumba, F Madhanhanga, B Mtigo(N Makumbe 70)', Q Amini, D Murimba