BANTU ROVERS… 0 FC PLATINUM… (0) 1
FC PLATINUM grinded out a crucial victory away from home against Bantu Rovers at Luveve Stadium to shoot to the top in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log-standings.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
A solitary goal by Rodwell Chinyengetere in the 59th minute was all that the Zvishavane-based side needed to collect maximum points from a resilient Bantu Rovers who stood their ground in the first half.
FC Platinum’s Raphael Muduviwa sent in a cross from the right inside the penalty box which was nodded down by new signing Mkhokheli Dube before an astute Chinyengetere controlled the ball and blasted it past goalkeeper Wellington Muuya.
Yesterday’s victory took the platinum miners to 35 points, one more than Ngezi Platinum, who host Hwange at Boabab Stadium today. FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was, however, not satisfied with his team’s overall performance.
“We did not play well; I don’t know whether it was complacency or what? It was a good game by Bantu Rovers, they are an improved side. We really did not click. But the most important thing is to get as many points as we can and improve on our away record,” Mapeza said.
It was FC Platinum’s second successive win after the mid-season break having beaten Dynamos at Mandava on Wednesday in a match where Chinyengetere was also on target for the hosts.
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FC Platinum could have scored the first goal five minutes before the break but new signing Dube’s header inside the penalty box from a Brett Amidu cross hit the upright. Yesterday’s defeat was Tshintsha Guluva’s 14th of the season in 19 matches and it is not looking good for the Methembe Ndlovu-coached side although the gaffer praised his boys for the display against FC Platinum.
“We were playing a very good team. Our guys gave it their best but congratulations to the winning team. We played well against a strong side,” Ndlovu said.
Teams
BANTU ROVERS: W Muuya, K Dzingwe, D Ndlovu, L Ncube, T Kumbuyani, L Ndlela (M Dube 83’), M Chitambwe (M Ncube 76’), N Garayi, P Zivengwa, M Sibanda, B Ncube
FC PLATINUM: P Mhari, R Muduviwa, E Moyo, K Moyo, I Nekati, W Mhango, R Chinyengetere, B Amidu (N Masuku 89’), A Sadiki, M Dube (T Chinyama 90+3’), C Sibanda (G Mbweti 76’)
Results and fixtures at a glance:
Yesterday: Bantu Rovers 0-1 FC Platinum, Tsholotsho 1-1 How Mine, Harare City 3-2 CAPS United, ZPC Kariba 0-0 Yadah FC
Today: Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas), Dynamos v Triangle (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Bulawayo City (Luveve), Chapungu v Black Rhinos (Ascot), Ngezi Platinum v Hwange (Boabab).
