FC Platinum . . . . (0)1 Chapungu . . . . . . (0)0 FC PLATINUM maintained their perfect start to the current Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chapungu in the first installment of the Midlands derby at Mandava yesterday.
By MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE
The hosts needed Winston Mhango’s late penalty to break down the resilient army side and have now won all the three games in the campaign so far to set the pace early in the league race.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza conceded that the Midlands rivals gave them a torrid time.
“This was one of the most difficult games we played at home. They were very organised at the back. But I am happy with our overall performance, you cannot play well all the time but at times you need to grind results.Today the most important thing is that we managed to get maximum points.” said Mapeza.
Losing coach John Nyikadzino blamed the officiating for their loss, but was happy with his team’s performance.
“We came with our game plan and we did just that. Their winning penalty which was not a legitimate penalty was their only shot on target.
“I am not happy with the officiating and I repeat, that was not a penalty,” said Nyikadzino.
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The hosts started the match with an upper hand in the early exchanges, but the visitors managed to wither the storm by slowing down the tempo.
The miners controlled proceedings in the entire opening stanza but were kept at bay by the resilient soldiers who looked confident in defense.
The game opened up after the breather, with Chapungu sporadically going forward in search a goal, but they lacked urgency and killer instincts to upset the hosts.
Ten minutes after the breather, Chapungu was almost caught off-guard, but Roy Mazingi in goal for the army side was quick off his line to thwart Obrey Chirwa and clear the impending danger.
On the opposite end Jameson Mukombwe came close with a beautifully taken free kick.
Mapeza introduced the duo of Warriors winger Marshall Mudehwe and veteran forward Rodwell Chinyengetere for Walter Musona and Nqobizitha Masuku respectively to put pressure on the Waru Waru’s defense.
Five minutes before full-time, Mudehwe’s pace paid off as the former raced clear on the right and was brought down by Willian Ngonya, with the referee pointing to the penalty spot.
Mhango stepped up to convert the penalty for the miners.
Teams: FC Platinum: P Mhari, I Nekati, G Bello, K Moyo, E Moyo, W Mhango, N Masuku (R Chinyengetere 70), W Kamudyariwa, W Musona (M Mudehwe 56), H Bakacheza (T Rukanda 38), O Chirwa Chapungu: R Mazingi, J Mukombwe, H Mugoniwa, C Kwaramba, B Zabula, W Ngonya, G Phiri, M Mavhuto, R Mhlanga, A Peperere (X Ncube 78), A Tavarwisa (P Kumbula 54)
