Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Mandava
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS coach Pieter De Jongh turned the touchline into a storm zone yesterday, clashing with officials throughout a tense 1-0 loss to FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.
From the first whistle, the Dutchman was in fourth official Mhaka Magare’s ear, furious over calls he believed all went Platinum’s way. “It was a 50-50 game between the two teams. But every 50-50 challenge, the foul is for FC Platinum. I have not seen that in the many years that I have coached. It’s very strange. In the first half we had a clear penalty which was not given,” he said.
His protests peaked after halftime when a hard tackle on Marlvin Hativagoni went unpunished. Referee Patrick Kalota finally booked him, but De Jongh kept arguing until the end.
While Highlanders’ bench boiled, Platinum stayed cool. In the 70th minute, substitute Jerrison Selemani unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box that screamed past Ariel Sibanda and settled the contest.
“It was a brilliant goal. He did something similar when we played Scottland. He decided to take the shot and it was fantastic,” said FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza.
Both sides had earlier chances, James Nguluve forcing a big save from Sibanda, and Marvin Sibanda curling just wide, but Platinum’s defence held when Bosso threw everyone forward, even centre-back Brian Mlotshwa, in the dying minutes.
FC Platinum now move closer to the league leaders, while Highlanders leave Mandava with bruised pride and a coach still fuming at the officials.
