Mhofu halts FC Platinum

Sport
FC Platinum . . . . . . . 1 (1) ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . .1 (2)

FC Platinum . . . . . . . 1 (1) ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . .1 (2)

BY MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE

FC PLATINUM lost their first match of the campaign thanks to the tactical shrewdness of veteran coach Sunday Chidzambwa as his ZPC Kariba side became the first team to collect maximum points against the platinum miners since May 9 last year.

Tawanda Nyamandwe and Never Tigere’s goals cancelled out Winston Mhango’s early strike, to give the visitors a deserved victory.

The result means FC Platinum remain on 20 points and are in danger of losing top spot this afternoon if CAPS United beat Triangle at the National Sports Stadium. ZPC Kariba are now on 18 points, two behind the leaders FC Platinum.

The miners came into the duel favourites to collect maximum points following their explosive start of six wins and two draws from the opening eight matches.

Norman Mapeza’s charges had gone for 28 matches without defeat stretching from last year, but the winning streak was halted by his mentor Chidzambwa. Chidzambwa said he knew he was playing against a good side and was determined to hit them with counter attacks.

“We were playing against a good side so we wanted to hit them on the counter. I am happy we managed to convert the chances that came our way,” Chidzambwa said. Mapeza said he was not too disappointed with the result as he knew they were going to lose at some point in the campaign.

“We knew we were going to lose some games along the way and losing it is part of football.

“We did not play bad though, only that we allowed them to convert their chances which were mistakes on our part. There was poor communication for both goals, but that’s football,” said Mapeza. Teams: FC Platinum: P Mhari, I Nekati, G Bello, R Muduviwa, E Moyo, W Mhango, R Chinyengetere, T Dzumbunu (W Kamudyariwa 57), W Musona, T Rukanda (I Wadi 70), O Chirwa ZPC Kariba: T Mawaya, T Munyanduri, M Kunyarimwe, E Meleka (G Mangani 67), L Zvasiya, T Nyamandwe, T Sweswe, P Kabwe, N Tigere, L Chikafa (W Mutasa 90+), T Chitora