Dongo FC hold FC Platinum

Sport
CASTLE LAGER Premiership debutants Dongo Sawmills pulled a shocker as they held much fancied FC Platinum to a 2-2 draw at Mandava yesterday.

FC Platinum . . . (1)2 Dongo FC . . .(1)2

BY MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE

CASTLE LAGER Premiership debutants Dongo Sawmills pulled a shocker as they held much fancied FC Platinum to a 2-2 draw at Mandava yesterday.

The platinum miners came twice from behind with Walter Musona and Donald Ngoma to cancel strikes from Physwell Madhazi and Blessing Dzumbunu.

Fresh from a 5-1 humbling in the CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Young Africans, the Zvishavane-based side was expected to come out all guns blazing against the league newboys but closely escaped another humiliating afternoon.

With every spectator hoping for attacking options, coach Norman Mapeza instead added more steel in the middle, introducing three defence-minded players — Simon Shoko, Winston Mhango and Aaron Katebe — replacing the trio of Allan Gahadzikwa, Tatenda Dzumbunu and Elvis Moyo.

However, Mapeza justified his tactical approach after the match as a way of stifling the opponent.

“We are happy with a point won. They came with their game plan and they did well. For us, this result is not a setback. “They were attacking from the left and we wanted to close that channel,” Mapeza added.

The visiting coach Shadreck Mugurasave was delighted with the performance of his charges.

“It is a good result for my players. I am very happy with the result. There is no big team we are just the same because we play in the same league,” said Mugurasave.

Eight minutes into the match Mandava was silenced when Madhazi headed home the opener past an exposed Petros Mhari in goal for the miners.

The home side threw everything in attack in search for an equaliser, and after a quarter of an hour of action, Musona’s connection from an Elvis Moyo cross was blocked by Forward Pfupajena in goal for the league debutants.

Moments later, Lawrence Masibera fluffed a chance to give the visitors a cushion goal when he blasted over the cross bar. After 25 minutes of action FC Platinum were awarded a penalty following a reckless lunge by Kudzai Chideu on Brian Muzondiwa.

Musona made no mistake from the spot kick to level the score line. Blessing fired home a pile driver 10 minutes before full-time to restore the visitors lead.

But Ngoma rescued his side from the jaws of defeat in stoppage time when he roasted three defenders before firing home the equaliser.

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