FC PLATINUM . . . . . . 1
SIMBA BHORA . . . . . 1(2)
NORMAN Mapeza cut a dejected figure as the defending PSL champions FC Platinum suffered their third consecutive defeat at home — Mandava Stadium — yesterday.
FC Platinum lost 2-1 at the hands of Simba Bhora in what was a pulsating encounter, with Tinashe Balakasi and Tymon Machope grabbing the crucial goals for the Shamva-based side.
Nomore Chinyerere scored FC Platinum's consolation goal. But it is now worrisome as the Zvishavane side's previously steely defence is now being breached willy nilly.
The FC Platinum gaffer was disappointed with the result, their third loss at home after losing to Yadah and Sheasham.
"It's the same story as last weekend.
"We are playing good football but then conceding soft goals," Mapeza said.
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"Well done to my boys, they always work hard. Congratulations to Simba Bhora, they managed to get three points.
"We need to be united. We are in a difficult situation, but we do not need to give up. We have to move together in this difficult patch."
The visitors, Simba Bhora surged ahead as early as the sixth mimute through their skipper Balakasi, who slotted the ball home from close range.
Balakasi benefited, despite the fact that FC Platinum goalkeeper Wallace Magalane was down after being infringed by Keith Murera.
Eight minutes later, FC Platinum levelled matters through Chinyerere who beat goalie Simbarashe Chinani with a curling free-kick from just outside the box.
On the 23rd minute Ronald Kangadzi almost breached Magalane from range, but the goalie safely collected the strike.
They went to the half-time break, tied on 1-1 although the Platinum miners were dominant in terms of possession.
Mapeza's men came back with the same impetus but they were hamstrung when Donald Teguru was pulled out due to injury on the hour mark.
And they were punished on the hour mark when Machope nodded the ball home from what looked like a harmless cross delivered by Albert Manenji.
Despite trailing behind, the platinum miners did not lose hope, and on the 73rd minute, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya got a chance but his effort went over the bar.
Five minutes later, Panashe Mutimbanyoka found space in the box and he unleashed a shot that was repelled for a corner-kick by goalie Chinani. Ngwenya's headed effort from the corner-kick was saved by Chinani.
Simba Bhora coach Tonderai Ndiraya (pictured) was on cloud nine after the important win.
"No one gave us a chance but that's football. Apart from winning, FC Platinum are a good side.
"They play good football. They create chances and they have everything that you want in a team.
"When you win against such a team, you find some joy. It was a difficult match. They dominated and we got goals because we were stronger aerially," Ndiraya said.
FC PLATINUM: W Magalane, G Mbweti, N Chinyerere, M Ngwenya (B Banda 77), H Magaya, T Jamu, J Mutudza (J Selemani 77), W Musona, D Teguru (P Mutimbonyoka 64'), T Ngwenya
SIMBA BHORA: S Chinani, R Kangadzi, K Murera, A Manenji, P Jaure, T Chipunza( A Mandinyenya 90'), P Chigulupate, I Chiko, R Chitiyo, T Balakasi (V Kawe 90'), T Machope (T Machope 68')
