FC Platinum share spoils with Highlanders

Phineas Mukwazo and Paul Mundandi In Zvishavane

FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 0

A draw was the fairest result in this lukewarm Castle Lager Premier Soccer League top of the table clash at Mandava Stadium yesterday.

And yet it was always evident from the first period of the game that despite the home side having early advantage in the middle of the park they appeared to be not hungry for goals as they only managed a meaningful chance at goal when Ali Sadiki saw his effort at goal punched back into play by Petros Mhari in goals for FC Platinum.

At the other end Masimba Mambare wasted a glorious chance for Highlanders after he was sent through by veteran Mthulisi Maphosa but chose to thread in a pass that went begging.

Another Platinum chance then came in the 39th minute when Winston Mhango was sent through by evergreen Charles Sibanda.

The former Hwange player then found himself face to face with goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya but he opted to pass the ball when it looked easier to score allowing the alert Bulawayo defenders to clear.

After the breather it was again a tale of missed chances as Nelson Maziwisa nearly punished the Bosso rearguard when he robbed captain Innocent Mapuranga the ball, drew goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya out of his line only to see his chip just missing the target.

After the match Tennant Chilumba was a happy man.

“It was a fair result and my team put up a good game. We dominated the last 15 minutes but we could not get a goal. Aaron (Katebe) struggled as he is still to gain match fitness but he will add value to the team. Obrey (Chirwa) will also bring a lot of competition to the strike force,” the FC Platinum coach said.

His counterpart Bekithemba Ndlovu was also not disappointed.

“We had more clear cut chance than Platinum and we wanted a win but it was a clash of the two top teams in the league,” he said.

Ishemunyoro Chingwere reports from Morris Depot that newly appointed Black Rhinos head coach Arthur Tutani got off to a fine start with a hard won premiership victory away to Black Mambas yesterday.

First half goals from veteran Brighton Chandisaita and Trust Torovasei after Mambas had raced into the lead through a Last Chibwiro penalty were all the visitors needed to swim out of murky relegation waters.

Battling to contain his emotions after the match which also becomes Chipembere’s second win of the season, an emotional Tutani boldly declared that the army side was not sinking but staying where it “rightfully belongs” — the top flight league.

“This is my first game and I have started with a bang, I want to assure the Rhinos family that we are not going down no matter what.

“I also want to say tough luck to my former boss Yabo (Nesbert Saruchera) and say we still have you in mind and will always remember you and the days we worked together,” said Tutani, as he battled to contain his joy.

Mambas by far the better side of the afternoon, thanks to the sparkling Nicholas Alifandika and unheralded Nhlanhla Ncube, would feel hard done by their failure to bury the chances that came their way.

It was no surprise when they took the lead in the 16th minute with a coolly taken penalty by Chibwiro. Lot Chiwanga, in defence for the visitors, had no option but to trip the slippery winger after he had been fooled by the former’s ball artistry which had the Mambas faithful on their feet whenever he was in possession.

Their celebrations were however short-lived as a minute later Convenience Hungwe was forced to handle under pressure inside the box and up stepped Chandisaita to send Tonderai Mateyaungwa in goal for the hosts the wrong way.

Ten minutes later Torovasei made the best of Mambas’ loose marking and sent in a low shot from 15metres out giving Mateyaunwa no chance.

From then Mambas piled pressure in search of an equaliser and continued to do so in the second half with Alifandika, Ncube and Tsepo Rantokoane but their finishing always let them down.

In Beitbridge, Thupeyo Muleya writes that Tripple B’s woes continue to mount after succumbing to their fourth defeat in a row when they lost 0-1 to rejuvenated Monomotapa at Dulibadzimu yesterday.

A solitary goal in the 68th minute by former Underhill FC player Kudakwashe Musharu was all that Monoz needed to collect maximum points. For Tripple B it was their fourth defeat in a row after going down to Dynamos (0-2), Highlanders (2-3) and FC Platinum (0-1).

Monoz midfielder Ronald Chitiyo nearly put his team in the driving seat in the 31st minute after he sent in a powerful shot from a Praise Tonha cross outside the 12 yard box forcing Tripple B goalkeeper Gilbert Chigwandaza to make a brilliant save. The combination of Alick Marime, Simon Maengeni and Oscar Chove failed to penetrate the visitors’ defence which was well marshalled by man of the match Nicholas Guyo.

Monos had to wait for the 68th min to get their winner when predatory striker Kudakwashe Musharu finally found the back of the net with a powerful shot. The Monoz captain capitalised on a rebound and blasted past Chigwandaza, who was standing in for suspended goalie Tapiwa Mafunga

Tripple B coach Friday Phiri tried to sharpen his strike force in the 6oth minute when he introduced a fresh pair of legs in the form of Amani Makiwa for the tired Maxwell Mavhuto. In a post match interview Phiri said; “It’s not raining but pouring. You will note that we were playing well but we lost.”

Winning coach Biggie Zuze said his players were beginning to adapt to the team’s style.

“The results have not been coming well for us but we are on the right track,” said Zuze.

Two quick early goals in the first half enabled Chicken Inn to pip Motor Action 2-1 at Luveve Stadium, reports Nqwele Dube. Tonisani Sibelo and Cabby Kamhapa scored in the second and sixth minutes while Motor Action sub Manuel Meleka pulled one back.