Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FC Platinum coach Joel Luphahla is still reeling from his team’s 2-2 draw against TelOne, lamenting his players’ failure to put the ball out of play while a teammate was down with a concussion.
TelOne capitalized on the numerical advantage, scoring a late equalizer. Luphahla believes the draw was avoidable if his team had played smart and prioritized the injured player’s safety.
“We should’ve just stopped the game and got him substituted,” he said, still fuming.
Earlier in the mid-week fixture at Rufaro Stadium, the weary Zvishavane platinum miners were surprisingly held to a goalless draw by spirited newcomers FC Hunters.
“We have experienced players, and they should have kicked the ball out,” Luphahla lamented.
“What happened? When the opposition scored, we had a concussed player down. I’m not sure they realised, but we kept urgently pleading for them to put the ball out so we could make the substitution.
Unfortunately, before that happened, we conceded while desperately trying to make the change.
“It’s a bitterly disappointing result, especially because we were punished at the very moment we were trying to fix the situation. I take full responsibility, but I still believe in the boys.
“From these two underwhelming draws, I know we can do much better. We just need to learn quickly and correct these costly mistakes. We created countless clear chances even in Harare but we didn’t take them. We missed straightforward one-on-one opportunities here as well, and then we were cruelly punished.
“These are painful lessons, and we must improve immediately. It’s going to be extremely difficult now.
We face several tough away games, and that won’t be easy. We missed valuable chances at home, so now we’re chasing the leaders. In this relentless league, once you fall behind, it’s hard to close the gap.”
In their opening four matches, FC Platinum have won once, drawn twice and won one game.
Bongani Ndlovu