FC Platinum beat Chapungu as Flame Lily hold Harare City

Sport
FC Platinum . . . 2 Chapungu . . . 0 Harare City . . . (0)2 Flame Lily . . . (1)2

FC Platinum . . . 2 Chapungu . . . 0

Harare City . . . (0)2 Flame Lily . . . (1)2

BY MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE/ Munyaradzi Madzokere

TEN-MAN FC Platinum started the second half of the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season in magnificent fashion with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Chapungu.

Goals from Brian Muzondiwa and Allen Gahadzikwa ensured the platinum miners collected all the three precious points.

The result owes a lot to the creative brilliance of returning winger Marshall Mudehwe who kept the visitors’ defenders on their toes. Mudehwe missed the better part of the first half of the season due to an injury. Winning coach Norman Mapeza was delighted with the performance of his charges.

“We had some great chances in the first half. I am happy with the performance of the guys especially after we had lost Ian [Nekati],” said Mapeza.

Losing coach John Nyikadzino blamed the defeat on forced substitutions. “They played better than us in the first half. In the second half our game was affected by the injury inspired substitutions,” said Nyikadzino.

Chapungu goalie Roy Mazingi spilled a freekick delivered by Raymond Sibanda and Muzondiwa was quick to tap in the opener after 23 minutes of action. Two minutes later Mudehwe raced clear from the right wing, sending a cross into the path of Gahadzikwa who fired home the second.

At Rufaro, Harare City midfielder James Jam stole the limelight, turning from hero to villain after he scored a second half brace before a late sending off as the 10-men Sunshine Boys drew with Flame Lily in a thrilling Premier Soccer league match at Rufaro. The result undoubtedly exerts more pressure on Taurai Mangwiro’s position as Harare City coach after he recorded his third draw on the trot.

He however dismissed any notion that he was under any kind of pressure. “I don’t know what pressure you are talking about because my target is to finish in the top six and as far as I am concerned, I am on the right track. We were just unlucky to concede an early goal in the first half from a counter attack but the response from my team was fantastic and we could have won the match in the second half,” he said in his post-match interview.

Flame Lily who are unbeaten in four matches under the new coach Barckleyfield Chivenga, took an early lead against the run of play through the boot of James Chivasa in the 8th minute. Harare City drew level in the 46th minute through James Jam after he was fed by second half substitute Osborne Mukuradare.

Jam grabbed his second of the match after some brilliant work on the far side by Tinotenda Kadewere who spotted on rushing Jam who hit a first time shot beyond Chigumba.

The moment of madness came for the double scorer in the 75th minute when ref Norman Matemera adjudged that Tendai Samanje had handled in the box and pointed to the spot. Jam hurled insults at the referee and was show the red. Brighton Chandisaita converted the resultant spot kick to salvage a point for the visitors, while Harare City endured a frantic final 15 minutes to hang on for a point.

In Bulawayo, Thandiwe Moyo reports that Chicken Inn maintained pole position despite being held to a goalless draw by CAPS United at Luveve yesterday.

The GameCocks went into the match leading the standings with 29 points and after picking just a point they remain at the top with 30 while second placed Triangle who have a game against Highlanders this afternoon are on 28. CAPS United slipped one place down after the draw to sixth with 25 points to make way for FC platinum who have the same number of points but with a superior goal advantage.

Coach Mark Mathe said; “They played mostly in our half but it was a bit better towards the end. We would have loved to get maximum points but we are happy with the point. I am happy with the players’ performance so far and the board has been supportive,” he said.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas said: “I am still baffled about not winning the match. We were in total control but our finishing left a lot to be desired”.