FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . . (1)2
BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . . . .(1) 1
FC PLATINUM came from behind to edge Bulawayo Chiefs in a thrilling Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
Bulawayo Chiefs threatened to inflict a second consecutive defeat to FC Platinum when they surged into an early lead through Obrey Chirinda.
But goals from Walter Musona and Innocent Mucheneka in either half were enough to give the defending champions some respite after the defeat away to Highlanders last weekend.
Coach Norman Mapeza admitted after the match that Chiefs gave them a good run for their money.
“They had a game plan and they did well,” he observed.
“But we kept pushing and we got the win. However, there are so many things that we need to work on, especially our defending.
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“We don’t have to come back from behind every time. If we play a better organised team, we will struggle.
“We spoke about this before the game that we are conceding soft goals. If you look at the Simba Bhora (match), we came back, but against Highlanders, we couldn’t. We need to rectify that especially in central defence. There are teams we need to work on,” he said.
His counterpart Lizwe Sweswe was happy with how his charges applied themselves against the champions.
“This was such a tough match. I think we lost it because of forced substitutions. Our strategy was killed. Overall, we created so many chances, the boys played well,” Sweswe said.
“If we buried the chances, I think we could have won this game by three or four goals but it’s still work in progress. We have to work on our finishing.”
Bulawayo Chiefs started the match faster, with Mandla Gasela getting their first chance after three minutes but failed to convert.
They drew first blood after 11 minutes through Chirinda who comfortably turned in a Danny Phiri pass.
FC Platinum then lost Hagiazo Magaya to a hamstring injury after 12 minutes.
Chiefs also lost Phiri to a similar injury after 22 minutes. They felt his absence as FC Platinum dominated possession from then on.
Musona and Panashe Mutimbanyoka spurned clear opportunities on the 20th minute, with goalie Issah Ali at their mercy.
Visiting skipper Malvin Mkolo was also withdrawn due to injury on the 39th minute and Chiefs conceded two minutes later to the reigning Soccer Star of the year, Walter Musona.
FC Platinum survived a scare five minutes from time, thanks to Wallace Magalane who repelled a Chirinda shot from outside the box.
But Chiefs were punished a minute later when their defenders were caught napping, with Mucheneka getting to the end of a route one goal-kick to slot home.
FC Platinum: W Magalane, G Mbweti, L Mhlanga, M Ngwenya, N Chinyerere, H Magaya (I Mucheneka, 12’), J Mutudza, B Banda, P Mutimbanyoka, J Selemani (P Chikwende, 75’), W Musona
Bulawayo Chiefs: A Ali, K Joe, M Mkolo (P Shoko, 39’), B Rusinga, D Phiri (R Mufudza, 22’) M Gasela, A Ncube, M Msebe, F Moyo, N Gama (F Matare, 46’), O Chirinda.
