Chronicle Editor
Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange, Hwange 0-1 FC Platinum
STEELY FC Platinum defender and captain Gift Bello led from the front to slot in the game’s solitary goal through a flashing header in the 77th minute against a stubborn Hwange outfit in a Castle Lager Premiership game at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.
With the cliff-hanger match seemingly headed for a share of the spoils, second half substitute Charles Sibanda sent in a teasing corner kick that Bello met with a powerful header into the roof of the net.
Sibanda had come in for Ali Sadiki in the 68th minute in a double substitution, which also saw Gerald Takwara replacing the ineffective Mkhokheli Dube.
The platinum miners had a bright opening half in which their play revolved around former Hwange hit man Gift Mbweti, who was a handful for the Hwange rearguard each time he was in possession.
The visitors forced Hwange goal minder Taimon Mvula into action as early as the seventh minute when the young shot stopper summoned all his reflexes to smother Elvis Moyo’s effort from point blank range.
On the half hour mark, Mbweti turned Admire Banda inside out on the right flank before laying a sitter for a well-positioned Nqobizitha Masuku, who, however, disappointed with a miscue from the edge of the box.
The pendulum shifted in the second half, as Hwange seized control of the game and launched raid after raid on the FC Platinum goal orchestrated by speedy midfielder Nathan Ziwini and striker Justine Kaunda.
Ziwini fluffed a glorious opportunity to draw first blood in the 52nd minute after latching onto a clever flick by Crybert Muvuti inside the box, only to sky his effort.
The home side continued harassing FC Platinum, but the breakthrough proved elusive until they were punished by Bello.
A double substitution by Hwange coach Bigboy Mawiwi in the late stages of the game, throwing in speedy forwards Tendai Mate and Delic Murimba for Muvuti and Gadzikwa, could not help them avoid another defeat as the visitors defended solidly.
Mawiwi praised his charges for their fighting spirit despite the loss.
“The boys fought hard against an experienced side and we were unlucky to concede from a set piece. We will have to dust ourselves and ensure we win the next game against Bantu Rovers,” said Mawiwi.
His FC Platinum counterpart Norman Mapeza heaved a huge sigh of relief and admitted that his players were made to work overtime for the win.
“Credit to Hwange for the good game and I am happy to get the vital three points. People always say Mapeza doesn’t want to talk about the league, why should we always shout about it every day when we are all in this contest for the sole purpose of winning the league. Look at our position on the log, we will continue working hard,” said Mapeza.
Teams
Hwange: T Mvula; C Dickson; G Ndlovu; O Moyo; A Banda (O Lungu 81st min); C Muleya; A Tshuma; N Ziwini; J Kaunda; C Muvuti (G Takwara 76th min); S Gadzikwa (D Murimba 81st min)
FC Platinum: W Magalane; R Muduviwa; E Moyo; K Moyo; G Bello; W Mhango; R Chinyengetere; N Masuku (T Chinyama 48th min); A Sadiki (C Sibanda 68th min); M Dube (G Takwara 68th min); G Mbweti. — @tobymandox
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