Black Mambas…1 FC Platinum…(1) 2
Motor Action…….. 0 Harare City….. (1) 4
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
ON-fire striker Nelson Mazivisa scored his second straight brace in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Morris Depot on Saturday to help FC Platinum edge Black Mambas and consolidate their lead at the top of the league table.
Mazivisa found the target after 25 minutes of play, before striking again on the stroke of full-time to help FC Platinum sew up the tie. In the process, the former Shabanie Mine hitman took his goal tally to five in the campaign so far.
Nicholas Alifandika struck a spectacular free kick just outside the 18-yeard box for Mambas’ goal in the 63rd minute.
Yesterday’s result saw the platinum miners maintain a 100% winning record in their three outings this season.
FC Platinum assistant coach Tendai Chikuni could only afford to shower praise on last season’s league top goal-scorer.
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“Nelson has proved wrong everyone who thought he does not fit in this team. The way he positions himself in the box is just good,” said Chikuni.
“It was a well-deserved victory. The boys played according to instructions although we did not have a good first-half where we failed to convert a couple of scoring chances.”
A seemingly dejected Mambas coach John Ncube vanished into the dressing rooms immediately after the match, shying away from the media for post-match interviews.
For failing to grant the interviews, Ncube now faces US$500 fine from the PSL, while his club would have to pay a US$2 000 penalty.
Mazivisa was always threatening to steal the afternoon with an early raid four minutes into play when he broke loose to meet an Ali Sadiki pass but his effort was deflected by Mambas captain Ben Nyahunzvi for a corner kick.
He again came close to grabbing the lead 11 minutes later after his header off a Charles Sibanda cross forced Mambas goalkeeper Tonderayi Mateyaunga to dive at full stretch, but only to aid the ball towards goal before Kumbirayi Kapikinyu timely cleared the ball off the line.
The visitor’s first goal came when Sibanda sensationally beat two defenders to set up Mazivisa who had the simple task of slotting the ball past Mateyaunga.
But Alifandika equalised for Mambas with a free kick after Kelvin Moyo had fouled Honey Chimutimunzeve.
Mazivisa completed his brace with just a minute to go when he connected Sadiki’s cross from the left wing.
Motor Action face possible sanctions from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after the club’s stand-in coach David George refused to conduct post-match interviews with the media following his team’s heavy league loss to Harare City at Motor Action Sports Club on Saturday, Henry Mhara reports.
George, who is holding the fort for gaffer Joey Antipas, currently in Europe for advanced football coaching courses, stormed out of the stadium and disappeared into the dressing room despite best efforts by the members of the media to talk to him.
According to the reviewed PSL standing orders for the current season, the Mighty Bulls face a US$2 000 fine while George could be fined US$500 for his troubles.
Interestingly, Motor Action owner Eric Rosen sits on the PSL board. Yesterday’s loss was Motor Action’s second in three matches following their 2-1 loss to Caps United last week, a result which was preceded by a 0-0 draw against Hwange in their first match of the season.
Former Monomotapa striker Osbourne Mukuradare headed the visitor in front a minute into the game before Trymore “Sister” Nyamadzawo put the game beyond Motor Action with a first time volley on 83rd minute.
Second-half substitute William Manondo made the win more emphatic with a late brace, heading his first from a David Kutyauripo cross on the right on 87 minutes before expertly chipping goalkeeper Itai Chiwara who had blocked Martin Vengesai’s shot from point blank at the stroke of fulltime.
