adminFC Platinum ………….. (1)1
Bantu Rovers ……………. 0
FC Platinum kept their title aspirations on course when they dismissed visiting Bantu Rovers with a solitary strike from the boot of Marshall Mudehwe in the 43rd minute. The former Black Rhinos striker who has been playing a blinder in most of his matches but failing to find the target finally got it right. Mudehwe reacted swiftly to a poor clearance from Teenage Hadebe and released a shot that beat goalkeeper Takunda Mukandi all systems out.
That was the only incident worth writing home about in the first half that was a very big yawn.
Bantu Rovers nearly found the equaliser after the breather in the 59th minute. The visitors won a free kick on the right inside of the Platinum half and the hard working Proud Zireni curled in a beauty.
Thandazani Ndlovu let go a screamer that removed some paint on the crossbar with goalkeeper Petros Mhari well beaten. Methembe Ndlovu, the Bantu coach who was dealt a major blow when his key player Obadiah Tarumbwa was injured, introduced Lawson Nkomo, Sizalobuhle Dube and Tafadzwa Ngwenya. The trio played their hearts out but were not sharp at goal and also had appeals for a penalty turned down in the dying minutes.
The decision did not go down well with Zireni and after the final whistle he had to be restrained by his coach as he wanted to vent his anger on the officials.
“My players are professionals but at times they are stretched to the limit. It’s a pity we can’t change the match officials. We congratulate the winners and I am proud of my boys. We are just failing to put away the chances although we are playing very well,” said Ndlovu, a cool and level headed coach.
His counterpart Lloyd Mutasa was happy with the 1-nil victory.
“This should mark our turning point. It was a hard fought victory but Marshall (Mudehwe) scored a great goal,” he said.
In other matches played yesterday, ZPC Kariba drew 1-1 with Chiredzi, while Shabanie Mine beat Harare City 2-1.
Online Reporter