Hwange too hot for Platinum

By Tobias Mandoreba in HWANGE

Hwange . . . . . . . . ( 2) 2

FC Platinum . . . .. . (0) 1

Two brilliant first half goals by young and enterprising Hwange striker Gift Mbweti were enough to bring back the smiles on the faces of the Chipangano faithful as the coalminers rose to the occasion to silence fellow miners FC Platinum in a pulsating Castle Lager Premier league match at the Colliery yesterday.

Hwange produced a tepid performance at the same venue to lose 1-0 to league debutants Bulawayo City last Sunday, but the vastly improved Mbweti had other ideas with a dazzling performance the whole afternoon spiced up with a wonderful opening goal on the quarter, which should rank as one of the best ever goals witnessed at this venue in recent years.

A swift counter-attack saw a long clearance fall onto Mbweti’s path in the centre circle with the young forward making a few strides before cleverly chipping his effort past an outdrawn Petros Mhari into an empty net from about 30 metres.

The goal sent the home supporters into a frenzy.

FC Platinum could have quickly drawn level three minutes after Mbweti’s opener as a lethal two-man move involving Walter Musona and hard running Hillary Bakacheza only came to nought after a brave intervention by right back Phakamani Dube who scooped the ball from Bakacheza’s feet as he prepared to stab home from close range.

With the visitors sniffing around for an equaliser, Mbweti again put his name on the score sheet in the 20th minute when he found himself in a similar position at the edge of the box after a lovely pass by Innocent Mucheneka before reducing Mhari to a rank amateur with another clever chip which sailed into the nets leaving the goal minder scrambling in vain.

FC Platinum then virtually camped inside the Hwange half with former Chipangano midfield playmaker Rodwell Chinyengetere’s trickery laid bare 10 minutes from the breather with some fancy footwork on the edge of the box before releasing Musona who blazed his effort inches over.

A double substitution by coach Norman Mapeza in the 55th minute, ushering in speed merchants Marshall Mudehwe and Ishmael Wadi for Musona and Bakacheza increased FC Platinum’s firepower upfront as Mudehwe proved to be a bag of snakes for the Hwange rear guard with his pace.

The hosts defended resolutely especially through lanky centre back David Boriwondo, back after a two-match suspension as the game inched towards the end.

Rightback Phakamani Dube almost threw the visitors a lifeline when he gave away a needless penalty in the 82th minute with a reckless foul on Simon Shoko.

Up stepped Chinyengetere to send Future Sibanda the wrong way with a coolly taken spot-kick.

As if that was not enough, Boriwondo came up with a moment of madness immediately after the conversion of the penalty by kicking the ball out of play leaving referee Philani Ncube with no option than to brandish a second yellow after he had picked the first one for foul play at the stroke of half-time.

Hwange then endured a nervy end to cling to an important win.

Njekwa was a relieved man after the final whistle.

“I am pleased that we rose to the occasion especially after the defeat at home to Bulawayo City. Such are the dynamics of football, but it will be unfair not to commend FC Platinum for giving us a good game,” he said.

Mapeza was furious after the match for the two goals conceded.

“The moment we let in those two goals it was game over for us. If you know football then you know that once you behave the way we did then it is done and dusted,” said Mapeza.

Teams

Hwange: F. Sibanda; P. Dube; M. Mungadze (C. Banda, 49th min); G. Ndlovu; O Moyo; A. Tshuma; C. Muleya; I. Mucheneka; G. Mbweti; G. Zulu; D. Boriwondo.

FC Platinum: P. Mhari; I. Nekati; G. Bello; S. Shoko; E. Moyo; G. Takwara; R. Chinyengetere; T. Dzumbunu (M. Mudehwe, 55th min); W, Musona (M. Mudehwe 69th min); T. Rukanda; H. Bakacheza (I. Wadi, 55th min). The Herald