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From Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
Tripple B………………………(1) 1
FC Platinum…………………. (1) 3TRIPPLE B’s relegation woes are far from over after they lost to a super-charged FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Dulibadzimu Stadium yesterday.
The Beitbridge outfit who have four wins and seven draws, succumbed to their 12th defeat of the season when they failed to hold on to an early lead.
Tshintsha Magiya’s right back Givemore Fireyi had opened the scoring for the home side in the fifth minute off a Webster Chingodza’s corner.
Though the match was played under very hot temperatures which were around 35 degrees Celsius, the home team failed to take advantage of their adaptability and allowed Kugona Kunenge Kudada to strike twice in the last four minutes of the match.
FC Platinum found their opener through their left back Elvis Moyo in the 16th minute after Donald Ngoma set him up during a quick counter-attack.
Moyo had earlier on earned himself a yellow card for pulling a “hand of God” stunt in the 10th minute. The match started off at a fast pace but FC Platinum made their intensions of collecting maximum points clear with Raphael Muduviwa and Nelson Maziwisa starting in attack mode.
Ali Kazembe nearly put Tripple B in the lead in the 40th minute but his shot went wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. A minute from half-time Llyod Chiwaridzo failed to convert another clear chance when he was set up by Kazembe and sent in a powerless shot which was well collected by FC Platinum’s Francis Tizayi.
It was in the 70th minute when the visitors upped the tempo of their game and camped inside Tshintsha Magiya’s backyard.
A goal at the death of the match by FC Platinum’s Obrey Chirwa off Ngoma’s pass sent the home team’s rear guard into panic.
Before the Tripple B defence could re-organise, Winston Mhango sent in another powerful shot deep inside stoppage time, sending the FC Platinum supporters into delirium
Tripple B coach Peter Manoti said they lost the match because most of their players had injuries they picked up during clashes with Dynamos and Monomotapa recently. “It is fortunate that most guys stayed the whole 90 minutes. Our defenders Givemore Fireyi, Talent Mkondwa and Ephraim Mwinga picked up injuries in matches against Dynamos and Monomotapa.
“We had things under control in the first half and the injuries have been our greatest undoing. We need nothing short of a win in our next games if we are to stay in the Premier League,” Manoti said.
FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa described the win as a sweet victory. He said Dulibadzimu Stadium was his favourite hunting ground where he previously picked up maximum points when he was still coaching Sporting Lions in 2002.
The now-defunct Sporting Lions beat Borders Strikers 3-0 during the Premier League play-offs. “We believe this win will boost morale in our camp especially that we are coming from a goal drought. As for the league championship we must pick up many points if we are to stay in contention,” Mutasa said.
Teams
Tripple B: G Chigwandaza, G Fireyi, O Chove, E Mwinga (S Maengeni 75th minute), T Mukondwa, W Chnogdza, L Chiwaridzo, M Kawashu, A Marime, A Kazembe, M Variso.
FC Platinum: F Tizayi, D Vheremu, E Moyo, R Mudiviwa, M Kamusoko, A Katebe (O Chirwa), S Shoko, N Maziwisa, D Ngoma, M Katsvairo, M Mudewe (W Mhango 82nd minute).
Online Reporter