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Moffat Mungazi in MUTARE
Bikita Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0
BIKITA Minerals stunned title-chasing and former champions FC Platinum, who were reduced to 10 men in the second half, in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Sakubva yesterday.
Chris Makambira’s goal three minutes before the break carried the day for the debutants as they picked their first victory in eight matches.
The fullback got to the end of a headed flick by seasoned Masimba Mambare, who had been teed up in the box from the left by Prince Milanzi.
After playing second fiddle to the visitors for much of the opening stanza of a match dubbed the battle of miners, the hosts made most of their first and only sniff at their opponents’ goal by burying the chance.
They defended their lead well, with Carlton Munzabwa marshalling the back-line.
However, they quickly ran out of passing options each time they were in possession as they opted to defend deep and in blocks without much offensive drive.
Yesterday’s victory saw the Lithium Boys jump two places up the log standing into 12th position with 29 points from 24 games.
FC Platinum finished the match a man short after defender Mbongeni Ndlovu was shown a straight red card for upending a goal-bound Liberty Masveuru four minutes after the restart.
Bikita Minerals coach Anorld Jani lauded his charges for sticking to the game plan that secured them maximum points against more fancied opponents.
“The players put in great effort today as they played well. We avoid conceding a goal and that was central to our game plan. The team defended well in the first half and managed to get an unsettled goal. In the second half, we changed things tactically and became more offensive. Our boys matched and contained them well to hold on for a sweet and deserved victory.
“Overall, the performance was good. Of late, we have been playing well and it is only the execution in front of the goal that has been lacking. Today we scored and picked up a win and it signals that we are in the right direction. We will continue taking each game as it comes, stay focused, and work hard,” said Jani.
With Bikita Minerals upping their game in the second half, the two teams continued trading raids with Masveure wasting his effort from a narrow angle following a fast break from a defended corner.
The usually dependable deadlocked midfielder Barnabas Mtuche, who was uncharacteristically subdued in the first half as he played stray passes and unnecessarily conceded possession, came alive after taking over the arm-band when Mambare was substituted off for Ask Rupande.
Chasing the game, FC Platinum made a triple substitution at the break by bringing on Lawrence Mhlanga Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, and Oscar Bhebhe. The latter added attacking impetus for the visitors but the equaliser remained elusive. He was well complemented by the lively Juan Mutudza as they ran the show in the centre of the park.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza rued his team’s failure to turn their dominance into goals.
“We had the opportunity to wrap up the game in the first half but ended up being punished after they took the only chance they created in their entire first half. Yes, we enjoyed much of the ball possession but what counts at the end of the day in a game of football is goals and we failed to score.
Poor decision-making by the players was our biggest let down and the chances we missed cost us,” said Mapeza.
He said they have not been consistent enough in their previous five games, attributing it to their lack of lethal instinct.
“We have been dropping points, especially in away games, despite dominating play. As coaches, this is something we are starting to get worried about because at home we have been winning convincingly. We need to work on this,” said Mapeza. FC Platinum have endured a fluctuating form of three defeats sandwiched by two victories in their last five matches.
Online Reporter