FC Platinum foil Pirates raid

Sport
Zimbabwean champions FC Platinum got their first point in the Total CAF Champions League group stages after holding former African champions Orlando Pirates in an exhilarating Group B tie before a packed Barbourfields Stadium yesterday

FC Platinum……… 0 Orlando Pirates….0

BY FORTUNE MBELE in bulawayo

Zimbabwean champions FC Platinum got their first point in the Total CAF Champions League group stages after holding former African champions Orlando Pirates in an exhilarating Group B tie before a packed Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

A lot was expected from the South African side that fascinatingly enjoyed more support away from home than FC Platinum as the majority of the fans who thronged Barbourfields backed Pirates.

However, it was Pure Platinum Play who showed courage and hunger taking the game to their much-fancied opponents, who were parading Zimbabwe internationals in Kuda Mahachi and Marshall Munetsi.

The draw was a satisfying result for FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza (pictured below), who was keen to kick-off the historic group stages campaign with a positive result ahead of the daunting trip to Tunisia to face holders Esperance.

“I think we put up a good game of football and everybody saw it, the guys really enjoyed themselves,” Mapeza said.

“We just need to keep working hard. On Tuesday we are leaving for Tunisia and as coach I think we got a positive result today. Of course, we wanted to win the game, but I can’t complain, I am more than happy with the draw although we would have wanted to win the game.”

The first attempt at goal was from the visitors in the ninth minute when an impressive Justin Shonga fired from inside the penalty box, but FC Platinum goalkeeper Petros Mhari, who had a good day in the office, was equal to the task.

Two minutes later, Kelvin Madzongwe, undoubtedly the man-of-the-match, holding fort in defensive link for the hosts, had his effort punched away for a corner-kick by goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane.

Then Devon Chafa executed a volley in the 17th minute, but it was easily collected once more by Mabokgwane.

The game went into a lull with sporadic raids from either side until the 35th minute when a well-taken corner kick by Mahachi was met with a header by Sakhile Maela, but the effort went wide.

A minute before the breather, Thembinkosi Lorch’s shot from a Mahachi pass was saved by Mhari, who had a busy day yesterday.

On the stroke of half-time, it was the enterprising Shonga with a scorcher from a free-kick, but Mhari once more came to FC Platinum’s rescue.

The second half had a few chances with FC Platinum dominating play and in the 66th minute Mkhokheli Dube sent through Farai Madhananga, who blasted the ball wide with Ali Sadiki miscuing a minute later after he was set up by Madzongwe.

Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic was happy that his side was able to come out with a clean sheet.

“We played against a very competitive team coached by a very good coach. We were looking at defending and not conceding and to score that important goal away from home,” Sredojevic said.

“So, it was 50% work done and we need to re-analyse as we wait for Horoya at home. There is still so much to play. Yesterday [Friday] was a draw and today [yesterday] a draw. We wish FC Platinum all the best; they are a good team.”

After Horoya held African champions Esperance of Tunisia in Guinea on Friday, yesterday’s result means that all four teams in Group B have just one point to show for their efforts after the first round of fixtures.

The Zimbabwean champions travel to Tunisia for a clash against the CAF Champions League holders Esperance de Tunis next weekend while Pirates host Horoya from Guinea.

Teams: FC Platinum: P Mhari, F Madhananga, D Chafa, K Madzongwe, R Muduviwa, M Dube (L Nhamo 86’), A Sadiki (G Mbweti 77’), W Stima, G Bello, R Kutsanzira, E Moyo Orlando Pirates: J Mabokgwane, T Lorch, H Jele, K Mahachi (V Pule 74’), J Shonga (A Mulenga 65’), M Nyatama, M Munetsi, X Mlambo (O Mntambo 86’), B Ndengane, S Maela, A Mbekile.