FC PLATINUM . . . . (0) HARARE CITY . . . . (0) HARARE CITY spoiled log leaders FC Platinum’s perfect start to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season after holding them to a goalless stalemate in an entertaining encounter at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
BY MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE
The platinum miners, however, retained top spot on the log standings despite the draw since they won their first four matches.
After the match, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza lauded both sides for an impressive outing.
“Harare City came here wanting to win and they played well. I hope everyone can play like that in the premiership,” he said.
“I am happy with the result and the performance as well. I knew we were going to drop points along the way. That is part of football.”
Harare City coach Taurai Mangwiro felt his charges deserved maximum points, but said he was happy to walk away with a point.
“It was there for the taking. We could have won this one. We created better chances and we can only blame ourselves,” he said.
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“I am, however, happy with the result. This is our first point away from home and the defence also played well. They managed to keep a clean sheet.”
FC Platinum midfielder Walter Musona cleverly slid the ball past the City Fathers’ defence with 15 minutes into the first half, squaring the ball to an unmarked Hillary Bakacheza, but the latter lost his balance in front of goal, only to manage a weak shot straight into the arms of City goalie Tafadzwa Dube.
A minute later, the visitors’ fans could not believe their eyes when Grey Kufandada, impressive throughout, missed the target, with the hosts’ keeper Petros Mhari the only one to beat.
Musona fed Obrey Chirwa with a fine delivery, but the latter failed to hit the target.
The Sunshine City Boys could have gone for the breather a goal up, but Mhari’s brilliant save to deny William Manondo on the stroke of halftime kept the scoreboard level.
End-to-end action continued after the breather, with both sides intent on taking the elusive advantage on the scoreboard, but all that was in vain. Teams: FC Platinum P Mhari, I Nekati, G Bello, K Moyo, E Moyo, W Mhango, R Chinyengetere, T Dzumbunu (G Takwara 60), W Musona (T Rukanda 89), H Bakacheza (M Mudehwe 56), O Chirwa Harare City T Dube, J Tigere, A Chiveya, T Ndhlovu, B Moyo, T Samanja, F Madhananga, W Manondo (B Maglasi 84), R Manuvire, G Kufandada (F Zekumbawire 69), H Chimutimunzeve (K Kumwala 62) Yesterday’s Results at a glance — FC Platinum 0-0 Harare City, Chicken Inn 0-1 Bulawayo City, Tsholotsho 0-2 Ngezi Platinum
