Chaos, cards & comebacks in Mandava

Alberto Chamwadoro

JOEL Luphahla did little to mask his frustration. Twice his side found a way in front, and twice they allowed MWOS back into the contest, settling for a breathless 2-2 draw at Mandava Stadium that left both coaches with plenty to reflect on.

In his estimation, the damage was largely self inflicted.

From the opening whistle the match was open and lively. Trevor Bhunu tested MWOS goalkeeper Tedious Baye inside the opening minute, setting an early tone of intent from both sides, with space on offer and neither team prepared to sit back.

MWOS tried to steady themselves. Tafadzwa George had an effort blocked, while Thubelihle Jubane failed to get on the end of a teasing delivery as the early exchanges swung decisively from one end to the other.

FC Platinum broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. A foul on the edge of the box presented Abraham Mbakonja Tjahikika with a clear sight of goal, and he capitalised, curling home his first goal for the club to hand the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

The champions could have stretched their lead before the break. Clive Kwangwari squandered a promising opening, while Garikai Dematsika first blazed over before rattling the crossbar as FC Platinum pressed for a second.

Those missed chances proved costly.

With a minute remaining in the half, goalkeeper Ekoi attempted to play out from the back under pressure, was dispossessed by Wilson Mensah, and the forward calmly rolled the ball into an unguarded net. In a heartbeat, control turned into parity, the sides heading into the break locked at 1-1.

The second half never found a steady rhythm.

An early scare saw David Mangezi stretchered off, briefly halting proceedings, before FC Platinum responded with a triple substitution that injected fresh energy into their play.

Bhunu went close twice during a renewed spell of pressure, first blazing over before forcing Baye into a save as the hosts pushed for another breakthrough.

That moment arrived in the 70th minute. Bhunu made no mistake this time, finishing clinically to restore FC Platinum’s lead before being withdrawn to warm applause from the home support.

MWOS, however, were not prepared to concede defeat. Magondo produced the defining moment of the contest nine minutes later, curling a superb effort in from the left to bring the visitors level once more at 2-2, a goal that epitomised their resilience.

The closing stages descended into chaos.

Oscar Bhebhe was booked for a late challenge, Mbongeni Ndlovu was stretchered off, and tempers flared. Jeremiah Makangira was dismissed for dissent, before Tadiwa Muchenje followed him down the tunnel with a straight red card after a heavy challenge on Billy Veremu, leaving FC Platinum reduced to nine men.

Even with a numerical advantage, MWOS were unable to force a decisive winner.

At the final whistle, MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa appeared content with the point gained.

“Another tough encounter, you look at Joe and his charges, Joe is a good coach with very good youngsters. They play good football at home and we knew it was not going to be easy but we really wanted it as well but you get scored we come back, you get scored and we come back but a draw is a fair result to us.”

Luphahla, though, saw the evening through a different lens.

“Today I’m disappointed because we failed to manage the game. In the first half with a minute to go we could have done better to manage the game so that we go to halftime with a goal up but we gifted them a goal. Both our goals we worked hard for them but the two goals that we conceded we gifted them due to our sloppy defending.”