FC PLATINUM...............(1)
CAPS UNITED................(0)
CAPS United coach Llyod Chitembwe was left fuming, labelling the match officials 'stupid' and 'comical' after their match was abandoned on the 86th minute following a contentious decision.
That was after they were denied what could have counted as a genuine goal which prompted the Harare giants' fans and officials to invade the pitch protesting the decision.
CAPS United midfielder Ralph Kawondera had beaten Wallace Magalane from just outside the box in the 86th minute, but second assistant referee Mncedisi Maphosa flagged it for off-side.
And that did not go down well with the CAPS United group of supporters and officials who went on to invade the pitch, causing the abandonment of the match.
That could have been CAPS United's equalizer. The referees, including centre-man Lloyd Mapanje, left the pitch in a huff as they were being harassed.
The match was halted for about 20 minutes before the match commissioner Brighton Nyika called it off.
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"All I can say is that the referees said they were no longer comfortable continuing with the match," Nyika said.
And Chitembwe was livid as he took a swipe at the match officiating which he labelled as 'stupid and comical'.
"The problem in our football is that the wrong man always takes centre stage and it has reduced this PSL to a comical show," he said.
"It's very unfortunate where week in, week out people are always complaining about poor match officiating. We can't have referees making stupid decisions if we aspire to be a serious football nation.”
"It’s saddening to see the referee taking the centre stage for all the wrong reasons. This was meant to be a contender for goal of the season, but some stupid man took that opportunity away
"We will always talk about it even if people don't like it. I have the right to freedom of speech."
Both sides started the match with lots of enthusiasm and Caps United got their first chance after two minutes, but Lot Chiwunga was adjudged to be in an off-side position.
FC Platinum quickly regrouped and midfielder Juan Mutudza struck after nine minutes following a neat build-up that involved Oscar Bhebhe and Wilfred Muvirimi.
From there, the contest became much of a physical battle as both sides congested the midfield, with no clear- cut chances being created.
Godknows Murwira came close to finding the equalizer for the Green Machine in the 19th minute with a rasping shot from a corner-kick rebound.
However, goalie Magalane was equal to the task as he parried the effort out for another corner-kick.
Caps United returned from the break with much impetus, but they yielded nothing from their momentum.
FC PLATINUM :W Magalane, M Ngwenya, M Ndlovu, LMhlanga, R Pavari, B Banda, J Mutudza, D Marowa(H Magaya 66'),O Bhebhe, P Mutimbanyoka, W Muvirimi
CAPS UNITED: A Rayners, I Zambezi, E Manokore, H Chapusha, G Murwira, R Chinyengetere, R Kawondera, P Bamusi(Tendai Matindife 78') W Makuva, L Chiwunga, W Manondo (K Mureremba 58')
