BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . (1) 1
FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . (1) 1
FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza yesterday hinted on giving up on the title chase if his side keeps dropping points.
Mapeza, who won the last four titles on the trot, expressed these sentiments after playing a pulsating draw with Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve Stadium yesterday, a week after handing league pacesetters Highlanders their first defeat.
"It's two points dropped. We had some good opportunities especially in the first half and in the second half as well but that's the order of the day. At the end of the day, we take the point home but I feel it's two points dropped. Mathematically we are still in it but look, if we keep on dropping points like this, we might as well say, look guys I think for this season we are done, but like I said we keep pushing. You never know what might happen. It's still work in progress; we have to keep pushing," Mapeza said.
The Ninjas were the first to score through Farau Matare three minutes into the game after a defensive mix-up between goalkeeper Petros Mhari and defender Lawence Mhlanga and The Ninjas' striker made no mistake and easily tapped the ball into an empty net.
FC Platinum equalised in the 12th minute through Brian Banda, who fired a cracker from outside the penalty area leaving goalkeeper Khulekani Dube a confused spectator.
FC Platinum dropped to position seven with 31 points as Herentals rode over to fifth position on 32 points after dismissing Ngezi Platinum Stars at Mandava.
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Chiefs are now on 25 points and coach Johanisi Nhumwa reckoned his charges relaxed after they scored the opener.
"It was a good game but after we scored we relaxed and they replied and that was all but I was impressed by the boys. They played quite well. Our game plan went well up to the end but we should have converted our chances," Nhumwa said.
The visitors had a chance to score in the ninth minute but Perfect Chikwende sent his effort over the cross bar after another defensive blunder by Chiefs' Malvin Mkolo.
FC Platinum continued to raid Chiefs and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya hit the upright in the 18th minute with Dube a beaten man.
Chiefs came into the second half more vibrant, attacking FC Platinum left, right and centre and had an appeal for a penalty shot down by referee Mhaka Magare in the 52nd minute after Matare was brought down inside the penalty box.
However, FC Platinum missed out on a scoring opportunity as a free header by Ngwenya missed the upright after he came to the end of a Walter Musona cross in the 56th minute.
Chiefs had a chance to seal the game in optional time, but goalkeeper Mhari cut out substitute Dalubuhle Dlodlo before he packed a shot after he was sent through by an impressive Matare who played a blinder
Teams
Bulawayo Chiefs: K Dube, K Sibanda, M Msebe, O Chirinda (D Dlodlo 88'), M Mkolo, D Phiri, M Gasela, F Moyo, A Ncube (P Shoko 77'), M Hativagoni (B Veremu 84'), F Matare
FC Platinum: P Mhari, P Mutimbanyoka, M Ngwenya, L Mhlanga, N Chinyerere, H Magaya, J Mutudza, B Banda, W Musona, T Ngwenya, P Chikwende (J Selemani 77')
