MANICA DIAMONDS .... (0)
FC PLATINUM .................(0)
IN a Castle Lager premier league match that saw its fair share of drama and controversy, Manica Diamonds and FC Platinum played to a goalless draw at Sakubva Stadium yesterday.
The game was overshadowed by a pivotal moment in the dying minutes when referee Ronald Chinyani’s failure to penalize FC Platinum's goalkeeper David Bizabane for a clear handball outside the penalty area left fans and players alike in disbelief.
The incident occurred in the 93rd minute when Manica Diamonds striker Tshipamba Babadi found himself one-on-one with the keeper. After skilfully weaving past a defender, Babadi aimed for the target, only for Bizabane to extend his arm and halt the ball just outside the box.
As Babadi fell to the ground in frustration, Chinyani waved play on, signaling that no foul had occurred. The referee's decision immediately drew ire of the Manica Diamonds bench and their fervent supporters, who felt robbed of a clear scoring opportunity.
The match started with both teams exhibiting high energy, especially Manica Diamonds, who looked dangerous right from the kick-off. Just three minutes in, winger Charles Teguru received a precise cross from Tinotenda Musariranwa on the right flank, but his shot was expertly blocked by Bizabane.
The FC Platinum keeper continued to impress throughout the first half, making crucial saves, including a spectacular stop against Lawrence Mhlanga, who executed an acrobatic kick just before halftime.
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Despite multiple attempts, the first half ended in a stalemate, with neither team able to find the back of the net.
The physical nature of the match became evident as both sides battled for control, leaving the score line at nil-nil as they headed into the locker rooms.
The second half saw a change in tactics from FC Platinum, who adopted a more defensive approach.
In the 54th minute, FC Platinum midfielder Hagiazo Magaya came close to breaking the deadlock with a low shot that narrowly missed the upright.
The game remained tight, with Manica Diamonds pushing for a goal, but they were consistently thwarted by Bizabane, whose performance was standout for FC Platinum.
There was a close call from Manica Diamonds midfielder Jefreys Takunda, whose shot rattled the crossbar in the 74th minute.
In the closing stages, opportunities were minimal for both teams, but a potentially game-changing moment came when Kuda Mahachi's goal was disallowed for offside by Chinyani in the 86minutes.
This decision added to the frustration felt by the Manica Diamonds players and supporters, with many believing their side deserved more from the match.
Post-match, both coaches shared their thoughts. Manica Diamonds’ coach, Tafadzwa Mashiri, expressed disappointment at not securing all three points.
“It is unfortunate that we only collected a point instead of three. We couldn’t find our rhythm in attack, and despite making tactical changes, there was a lack of precision in front of goal,” said Mashiri.
On the other hand, FC Platinum's Norman Mapeza seemed pleased with the outcome, given his team’s recent struggles.
“Considering where we are coming from, it is good to collect a point for us. It’s a building block for future matches,” Mapeza noted.
